My journey from the classroom to the hospital ward

Taking a leap of faith

I'm Paul, and I work as a senior healthcare support worker. I work in an assessment and rehabilitation ward at The Balfour Hospital in Orkney. I'm also training to become a registered adult nurse with the Open University.

My career path has been quite complicated. I went to university after school because it was expected, though I didn't finish my degree until later. But it gave me time to reflect on what I actually enjoyed doing.

I realised I loved working with people and eventually became a teacher. I spent 15 happy years in the classroom before the pandemic hit. By then, I felt ready for a completely new challenge.

My wife, who already worked for the NHS, suggested I try nursing. I couldn't picture a job that suited me less, but I agreed to give it a go

I didn't think I'd enjoy it

I fully expected not to enjoy it, but I couldn't have been more wrong. I loved the variety of the work and quickly connected with my patients. I also found that my past teaching experience was highly helpful on the ward.

Leaving a secure teaching job was scary, especially with bills to pay. I started taking temporary bank shifts to build up my experience. That quickly led to a full-time permanent role on the wards.

My day-to-day role

My job is very varied because I have a dual role in my health board. I work full-time as a senior healthcare support worker, providing hands-on care. I also do student placements to learn how to run the day-to-day operations of the ward.

Our ward runs 24 hours a day, so I work different shift patterns. We support patients with everything from getting dressed to taking blood and monitoring oxygen levels. Knowing we're always there for our patients and their families is very rewarding.

We have a fantastic multidisciplinary team working together to help people recover. I work closely with doctors who prescribe treatments and domestic staff who keep the ward safe. We also rely on occupational therapists and physiotherapists to guide patient rehabilitation.

Making a real difference

The best part of my day is watching patients finally leave the ward. It's so satisfying to see someone recover enough to go home. Every little milestone they reach towards regaining their independence makes me smile.

Sometimes, our role involves supporting patients who're nearing the end of their lives. I once sat overnight with the son of an older patient just to reassure him. We care for people right to the very end, and that makes me immensely proud.

Good communication is the most important skill you can bring to this job. You've got to listen to your patients and recognise when things change. When patients feel validated, they're much more likely to engage with their treatment.

Busting nursing myths

People sometimes assume that some nurses settled for their career because they couldn't be doctors. I chose to be a nurse because it lets me treat patients more holistically. Modern nursing actually covers many tasks that doctors used to do.

I'm trained to cannulate patients, take blood samples, and check heart rates. Many nurses even prescribe medications now. There are so many different avenues open to you in this profession.