Hayley. Intensive Care Nurse - NHS

Hayley is a twenty-four-year-old NHS Intensive Care Nurse from Cambridge. She is currently based in London and has been in the industry for nearly four years.

How did you get into your field? What inspired you?

‘I wanted to do something that would help people and make a difference but also something that was exciting and kept me motivated. It was also important to me that I could travel with my job and that it was rewarding.’

What did you study at school and university and did this help you get into your field?

‘I studied biology, chemistry, geography and photography at A-level and did a BSc undergraduate degree in Adult nursing. Biology A-Level was needed for my undergraduate degree.’

Do you recommend any particular studies, courses or degrees for your field?

‘I am currently at uni part-time while I work, doing an intensive care nursing course which is very interesting as it puts what we do in practice, into perspective, and explains the reasons behind different treatments. I also completed my anatomy and physiology course through work which was very interesting.’

What does an average day look like in your role?

‘Firstly, no single day is the same in my job! Every day is different and you don’t know how it will pan out. I work in intensive care and therefore patients are the sickest in the hospital and can deteriorate very quickly, so you never know what’s next.

In the morning we have the safety briefing to outline any deteriorating or at risk patients and any patients who pose a risk to staff due to delirium or aggression. We then take the handover for our patients for the day. In intensive care we have one nurse to one patient (as long as staffing permits) because the patients are so sick and need constant treatment and monitoring. We then spend the day monitoring patients, treating them, taking them to scans, talking to relatives, admitting and discharging, pressure relieving, countenance care, giving meds and trying to rehab patients. On bad days we will do CPR on patients and on good days we will help them stand up for the first time in weeks or get them to talk for the first time in months, it all depends!’

What is the best part of your role?

‘Seeing patients who arrived so unbelievably unwell come out the other side and get better! - It’s so rewarding! I also love seeing relatives who come and visit to find patients improving.

This is a strange one but there is also something very rewarding and humbling about looking after patients who are at the end of their life and taking care of them while they die. It sounds very morbid and a bit strange to say I enjoy it, but being able to care for someone in their last hours on earth and help ease the pain of the relatives involved is incredibly rewarding. Due to the fact that I work in a major trauma centre, we get a lot of young and middle aged patients where unpredictable things can happen to them. It makes you want to enjoy life more and reiterate how precious it is.’

What is the worst part of your role?

‘This is very morbid, but I find it very hard when you have to care for someone who you know is not going to survive and your efforts are futile yet you must do everything you can because ‘it’s your job’. It can also be disheartening when patients are aggressive or rude when you’re trying so hard.

Additionally I sometimes find I am so tired from work I miss out on social events - I hate night shifts so much!’

How important is work/life balance to you and how much spare time do you have?

‘Work/life balance is very important and although it was tough, I feel that whilst at uni I managed to balance it really well! I try not to let my shift patterns effect my social life so will always try to go to things if I can. Even if I’m tired I’ll still go out after work!

Also the nurses at work are always up for the pub after a shift!’

Do you have any hobbies?

‘I enjoy singing, swimming, shopping and drinking!’

Do you have any advice for people looking to start a career in the same field?

‘Do it because it’s so rewarding! Be prepared to be tired all the time, deal with numerous bodily fluids on the regular and grow a thick skin, but it’s all so worth it and I wouldn’t change it for the world - I love my job!’

Who is your biggest female inspiration and why?

‘My Mum! She is the most selfless person I know and will always do whatever she can to help people and make tough situations more bearable. She works so hard in everything she does, she has a huge heart and I just love her!’