Becoming a Nurse
When I was 18, I had just finished my A levels, and I had no idea about where I wanted my life to take me. Only just getting the hand of adult reality I saw the world, not as my oyster but more like my giant black hole, where all the unknowns and uncertainties hid deep within.
As I braced myself for the vast reality of being grown up, I decided to search for a job, any job, to embark on the experience of earning a full time living. I had worked part time, and on Saturdays ever since being thirteen (I have fond memories of working in the fruit shop, several doors down from my home) but I had never had an official interview or an actual salary or wage.
I can’t recall if my first job was advertised in the paper, or it was word of mouth, I have a feeling the latter because my friend already worked there. For her, similarly to my job at the fruit shop, it was next door to where she lived, but instead of selling potatoes, carrots, and the odd tomato, she cared for actual people, elderly, in what was and still is a residential home.
I remember the interview and I can still recall the feeling when I got the phone call where the care assistant job was offered to me! I was in the bath that evening, brimming with pride, at the success of my new adventure. I was to work full time, shift work, ranging from morning sessions to late and sometimes night work.
This job would be a very important steppingstone to the rest of my life, and even though at the time I didn’t realise just how suited I was to the job, I soon found out. For the first time in their history as a business the three directors and the manager organized a vote to choose a carer of the year. This was 1994 which meant I was 19. I still have the certificate- Miss Grace Armitage, Carer of the Year 1994.
It was one of the proudest moments of my life! Not only had I secured a full-time job, but I quickly became skilled in caring for patients/residents, managing the routines and demands that each shift brought and developing bonds with the residents, and a rapport with my peers and manager. When the award was announced, all the residents were gathered in the huge sitting room. One of the directors’ sons was recording the event on a camcorder (there were no mobile phones then!).
When my name was announced, everyone clapped, and I cried! It was incredibly emotional. I was handed a huge bouquet of flowers, a beautiful leather watch and a bottle of vodka! Oh, and of course, the framed certificate, which still hangs proudly on my front room wall! From that moment, I realised I had found my purpose. Caring for others. Listening, nurturing, protecting, reassuring, respecting. It seemed to come naturally to me.
I also realised that I had very good organization skills when working. I say this, because the opposite was always true in my personal life. As a twin growing up, sharing a bedroom, there would be one side of the room tidy, orderly and neat. Then there was my corner. . . .
But as soon as I was in my working role, there was order and structure, there was always a plan, a schedule, a time for everything. On any given shift, all the cares for all the residents had been performed, all the meals were on time, all the other duties were delegated in a timely manner so that handover was seamless when I was on duty.
Perhaps this and my communication skills were the reason that, at the young age of 19, I was offered the deputy manager role at the business. By this time however, I began to visualize a future in nursing. I knew I wanted to care for people, and I knew I had the academic skills to choose a vocation that required more specific skills. I also knew that I wanted to see more of the world, outside my local town.
I remember applying for three nursing schools and of these I visited Winchester and also Buckinghamshire, travelling alone on the train to each, thus increasing my confidence and independence. I chose Buckinghamshire for its beautiful countryside and for the nursing quarters, which were modern spacious and next door to Stoke Mandeville hospital.
In a matter of a year or so, I went from the inexperienced teenager to an adult stepping into her destiny! I can still remember the pure joy and feeling of freedom, when I secured my place and received the start date for my three-year nurse training. The rest of my life was being handed to me on a solid gold, crystal studded plate! Here I am 30 years later, having navigated my way through years of training, even more years of university and connections with thousands of patients from all over the country.
