As we celebrate International Nurses’ Day, we highlight the story of a nurse who has dedicated her career to patient care within her local communities.
From her beginnings as a security officer to becoming a dedicated community nursing leader, Katie's journey is a testament to her passion for patient care and her commitment to making a difference.
Reflecting on her career, Katie shares, "I started my career as a security officer in a quarry before going into nursing. I did some bank work here at Macclesfield Hospital in A&E as a healthcare assistant.
"I got a job in a rehab ward in Derbyshire as a healthcare assistant and went on to do my nurse training from there. They supported me through my nurse training, and I qualified in 2016, just as I was having my first son," she recalls.
"When I was a student, I always wanted to go into A&E. I was always for emergency care, but my first placement was in the community, and I was absolutely gutted, if I'm honest. I didn't want to go. But there was just something about caring for people at home. We're honoured to be able to go into patients' homes, make a difference, and stop them from coming into ED.
“There's a time and a place for hospital, and a lot of the time we can support patients at home. Just being close to family, one-to-one care, getting to know my patients and seeing the same patients over and over again and seeing the difference. It's amazing and an amazing job," she reflects.
After qualifying, Katie went straight into a job in community nursing where she has always worked. "I worked in Ashbourne, Buxton, Chapel, so all around Derbyshire as a Band 5 community nurse. I progressed into a community nursing sister, holding a caseload and being responsible for quite a large team in a very deprived area in North Derbyshire, which was a challenge," she explains.
Katie’s journey with East Cheshire NHS Trust soon followed her time working in Derbyshire, taking on the role of team leader for Macclesfield Care Community in 2021.
Her role has since evolved, and she now serves as the Care Community Coach. "At the minute, I'm responsible for the district nurses, therapists and ACP’s in Macclesfield, in addition I also lead the OOH District Nursing Team and East Cheshire’s Hospital at Home Team including Virtual Wards and Urgent Community Response. I manage quite a large community team and all the project work that goes on in Macclesfield. We do a lot around public health and supporting patients out in the community," Katie elaborates.
She adds, "I do still put a uniform on occasionally, but no matter what job I'm in, at the heart of everything I do, I'm a community nurse and that is my fundamental identity. The patient is always at the forefront of anything I do and any decisions I make, right from being a healthcare assistant through to where I am now. I'm proud that I've done all those roles, and I've worked up and seen all the different roles and how they are on the ground.
“Every time, the patient has been at the forefront of my decision-making and the care I deliver. Sometimes that's risky. We do take risks, but we need to make sure we're delivering the right care."
Katie is also proud to be a Queen's Nurse, an award recognising her contribution to community care. "I got it four years ago and I'm very proud to have received it. It recognises the contribution to community care and community nursing specifically.
“It's a specific award for community staff, so I'm proud that I always put patients first.”
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