Nursing director urges people to look at benefits of career in care home nursing

Care UK’s senior nurse has welcomed the news that the pandemic has brought an increase in interest from those wishing to train as a nurse but says people should also take a look at how “fulfilling” care home nursing can be.

In January 2021, there were 72,805 searches on the internet for careers in nursing, increasing from 60,170 one year earlier. The figures show searches have risen by more than a fifth during the last 12 months as coronavirus brought health and social care firmly into the spotlight.

Rachel Gilbert, director of care, quality & governance said: “People who are thinking of care homes as a place to progress their nursing career might have this outdated idea the role would only be about issuing medication and managing incontinence.

“Whilst these are important and fundamental needs of people; working autonomously in what are nurse-led services, creates skilled nurses with a whole range of clinical and leadership abilities along with professional development, and career opportunities. The skills, competency and knowledge base required by adult social care nurses is wide-ranging and something nurses are respected for and are proud of."

Care home nurses identify and support the emotional, psychological, social, physical and cultural needs of each person, recognising their unique qualities and history.

“Nursing in a care home allows you to really get to know a person and follow their progress – often for the rest of their life and that truly is a privilege,” says Ms Gilbert. “You can see how your skills, knowledge and holistic approach to care has made a real difference for them. That isn’t always the same situation in a busy local hospital.”

’We too engage with and lead research, trials and work extensively with a wide range of partners’

Increasingly, nursing in care homes is being viewed at a national level with parity to NHS nursing, evidenced by the government’s appointment of Professor Deborah Sturdy, chief nurse for adult social care. As well as the appointment, the Queen’s Nursing Institute has just published a set of standards and a practice portfolio for the 36,000 nurses employed in the adult social care sector.

Ms Gilbert said: “Deborah is making a real difference to the narrative about adult social care nursing. For example, for the first time ever there is a national award category in the Nursing Times awards solely for nurses working in this sector. This recognition is fantastic to see and has been long overdue.

“We too engage with and lead research, trials and work extensively with a wide range of partners in health and allied care services and roll out projects that seek to develop new ways of working that ultimately improve outcomes for people living in our homes. Our nurses are to be applauded for the major part they play in this success.

“So my message who are considering a career in nursing is please don’t just think of how your career might take you down a hospital path. Take a look at how fulfilling and fascinating care home nursing can be and the career opportunities such as ultimately managing your own care home, or being the head of care and clinical services, providers like Care UK can offer.”

Care UK employs more than 600 nurses who work in a wide range of roles in its homes from nursing individual residents to providing policy and clinical leadership for over 10,000 colleagues.

Care UK offers a comprehensive and structured career path for nurses who want to build a career in care. This includes leadership training to help those who aspire to be the clinical lead or manager in one of Care UK’s 124 homes in locations stretching from Dorset to Aberdeen. To find out more see https://apply.careuk.com/

There is a huge range of job opportunities in the care home sector. If you are looking for a job in social care, click here for the leading UK care home jobs board.

click here for more details or to contact Care UK