Through the lens of a nursing support worker – Celebrating our role

I first started out doing my nursing training and worked as a NSW on the NHS staff bank for extra money and experience. It was during this time that I felt my journey was to follow the NSW route and left nursing to work as a fulltime NSW in NHS Tayside. I knew in my heart that I had much more to give to this profession. It’s an honour to have the privilege of delivering hands on care to patients and families. To not only deliver care but to share conversations and hear their stories which I’ve found are not only wonderful to listen to but are an essential part of holistic care. 

I’ve been a NSW for 14 years, developing and gaining experience along the way. There was a gap and inequity of learning and development opportunities for NSWs within the Board and, as part of their improvements in this area, I was lucky to become the first NHS Tayside HCSW Associate Practice Educator. Far too often I have heard that NSWs are untrained, unqualified, and unskilled.  I was determined to change this and network with colleagues to find out what matters to them. I focused on promoting the role and setting up a community of practice with NSWs across Tayside, creating a safe space to learn and share practice. My biggest take-away from all my work is that language is so important when we interact with colleagues.

In February of this year, I found out I was nominated for the RCN Scotland Nursing Support Worker of the Year Award. I was overwhelmed with emotion and shock. The determination of providing learning and support for other NSWs had been recognised by my fellow colleagues in my team. Making it to the final three in the category and being highly commended, I was more motivated then ever to promote the amazing roles and contribution NSWs make, wherever they work, both in the NHS and the independent health and social care sector. That night I was able to hear and speak with people working in these diverse settings and hear how proud they are of the work they have contributed to improving patient care, healthcare systems and teams. It cemented my pride in being a NSW. 

Determined to continue making a difference, not only in Tayside but across the whole of Scotland, I recently joined the RCN on a secondment as their NSW Support Officer, and it has truly opened my eyes on how committed the RCN is to supporting the NSW workforce across all care settings. 

During my time here I hope to build up relationships with members, colleagues and stakeholders. With my lived experience, I hope to bring that insight to the RCN and continue to provide and promote the diverse roles we have and provide access to learning and development that the organization offers. Looking back at where I first started, I feel like I have broken that glass ceiling, demonstrating that there are opportunities for NSWs to develop and create their own journey. 

It’s from the hard work and dedication of RCN members and colleagues that we now celebrate NSWs on the 23 November every year and I hope you are having your own celebrations, recognising the amazing NSWs that you work with.