Celebrating our amazing nurses at Oakland Care

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on 12^th May each year to mark the contributions nurses make to society. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have designated 2020 as ‘International Year of the Nurse and Midwife’ to mark the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.

As well as marking this important day with celebrations in our care homes, we have spoken to a few of the amazing nurses that work for us to share their stories.

Jane Wood

Jane Wood is the Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) at our Hastings Court Care Home in Hastings, East Sussex. Jane is an experienced, compassionate and valued member of the team. She has been working for Oakland Care for the past four and a half years.

Jane has worked as a Nurse in the Nursing Dementia Community at Hastings court for some time. Her role entails making sure that the physical, emotional and social needs of the residents are met. She supports, mentors and educates the care staff using a friendly and open approach. This encourages the staff to go above and beyond in the care of residents. Jane has also developed skills in setting appropriate boundaries ensuring that all of the team are comfortable in their respective roles.

Jane qualified as a Mental Health Nurse in 1981 and took up her first post at Hellingly Hospital as a staff nurse, from where she went on to work as a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN). She has four children and six grandchildren, which includes two sets of twins.

Over the years, Jane has continued with her education attending courses and training in order to gain the skills and attributes which are part of a General Nursing role. This knowledge and expertise has helped Jane get well equipped with the daily workings of her role at Hastings Court.

Speaking about what she enjoys about her role, Jane said, “I enjoy knowing that the residents are having a full and happy life and that they are cared for by staff that always want the best for them and who are nice and kind.”

Jane has always had a passion for working in care since she can first remember. Jane says, “It has always been my passion to work with people who are living with dementia and I believe that the nurse’s role is vital in overseeing the care that is provided and to ensure that the highest of standards are maintained at all times.”

Speaking about Nursing as a profession, Jane says, “I would advise anyone who is considering training as a nurse to “Go for it” and try to find the speciality that you will be most happy, in like I did! There is never a dull day and they will always be challenged throughout a career of lifelong learning.”

Find out more about Hastings Court Care Home.