Wendy’s Story
Wendy Jones has worked for Severn Hospice for 18 months, during which time she has gone from plumbing to nursing.
I started working at Severn Hospice in Telford in June 2008. I wanted to work here anyway and when I saw a stewarding job advertised, I just knew it was for me.
I’m so passionate about my job, I feel as though I am really part of the Hospice. I’m helping people and I get satisfaction from that. I love being a steward, but found that when I went home each night I kept wanting to do more. I kept spending more time on the ward and the nurses there were the catalyst for my decision to make a career change into nursing.
The management team at the Hospice were 100% supportive of my plans and I began training as a Health Care Assistant. I was so nervous before my first shift, I felt like a fish out of water. I had a mentor on the ward and by the time I finished I felt so fulfilled, it was like winning the lottery, I just wanted to go back for more. I felt so lucky that I had been allowed to do the job.
My passion for nursing is seeing patients through a difficult time, meeting their families and helping them. I find it an honour to be accepted as part of their family. The Hospice gives the patients a personal place to be and the high quality of care that they need.
I am still working as a steward while I complete my training and spend part of the week in each role. Once I am fully qualified my dream is to work full time as a nurse at the Hospice – I just can’t imagine anything more rewarding.
