Nicola O’Brien is one of the amazing nurses at Warwick Myton Hospice. Nicola tells us what it means to be a Myton nurse…
What does your role entail here at Myton?
My role involves taking care of patients and their families as well as assisting with symptom control and providing psychological support.
What have you enjoyed most about your role so far?
Providing all of the things I have mentioned above. Unlike at hospitals, I get the chance to look after the whole family and find out what is important to each patient.
Why did you decide to work at Myton?
I did my management placement here when I was a student and palliative care was always an area of nursing I wanted to end up in. I thought I would apply for the bank here and then they offered me a position. I knew I couldn’t let the opportunity pass because there may not be a similar opportunity in 12 months’ time.
What do you like most about working at Myton?
I love working here; it’s an amazing place to work. There is a lot of support around which is very important to me because I am newly qualified. The team work here is fantastic; there really are incredible nursing assistants that work here at Myton.
How do you think that the environment here differs from other clinical settings?
You are able to spend time with the patients and are encouraged to spend time with them to find out what they want, what’s important to them and what’s not important to them which I don’t think you get anywhere else.
Why did you decide to become a nurse?
I always wanted to be a nurse since I was at school but I ended up following a different career. A few years ago, I finally decided to pursue nursing because I wanted to give something back to people so I decided to go back to university and here I am!
What would you say to any nurses who might be sceptical about working in a hospice environment?
Don’t be scared- it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s a happy place and not what many people would expect. I think hospices still have a stigma attached to them and it is a shame. Despite what some may think it’s not all about dying, many of the patients go home.
What do you like doing outside of work?
I love cycling. Me and my sister did a 100 mile race last year through the Cotswolds and raised over £2,500 for charity. I also enjoy walking with my dog.
If you had the opportunity to go on holiday anywhere where would you go and why?
I would like to go to India. I have heard it is a really nice place to visit and I would like to find out more about the culture.