Meet the Team: Chelsea

In honour of Hospice Care Week, we are speaking to #TeamHospice members across various areas and positions about what hospice care means to them.

Training and development is a huge part of Barnsley Hospice and we welcome placements and students throughout the year.

One of our most recent placements was Trainee Nursing Associate Chelsea, who has just completed a twelve-week placement at Barnsley Hospice.

Hello, my name is Chelsea…

What is your role?

I’m a Training Nursing Associate, currently on a placement here at Barnsley Hospice.

What does your placement involve?

My placement lasts twelve weeks and I spend every Tuesday at the hospice.

What are you studying?

I’m working towards a Nursing Associate Role with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It’s a generic role which allows me to go into other areas of nursing such as mental health and to work with adults or children.

How have you found hospice care?

I’ve really enjoyed it! I’ve done a placement before in A&E and it’s a completely different environment. Being at the hospice is much more personal to those you’re supporting and their families. In A&E you may only spend a few hours with a patient and not see them again. At the hospice, you see the same patients day after day and you can develop a strong connection. It’s nice that they also get to see a familiar face during their time here.

Would you consider hospice care in the future?

It’s definitely on my list of nursing areas to look into when I’ve completed my studies.

Is there anything that has surprised you since joining the hospice?

I was surprised by learning people’s perspectives on living with a palliative diagnosis. It can be a sad and difficult topic that can seem like a bit of a taboo subject in our culture, but it’s been amazing to see how positive many patients and those close to them are. Seeing the support the hospice give to patients and their friends and families during a vulnerable time is so incredible to see.

What does an average day look like during your placement?

In the morning, I’ll help patients with personal care and hygiene. I’ll see if they want a hot drink and fill up the water jugs in their room. When they’re ready, I’ll take their order for breakfast. Not a lot of people know you can order whatever you want and the catering team are great at meeting people’s requests.

It’s not always helping them as patients. Sometimes, it’s about sitting and chatting with them until their visitors arrive. Being supportive and having a laugh makes a huge difference during their time at the hospice.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the patients – they have such a positive outlook. It can put your life into perspective and make you consider whether your worries are important. The staff are all so supportive and no question is a stupid question when you’re a student and learning.

All of the staff have been lovely. Working with a good team who share your morals is an amazing thing. In my placement, I’ve been able to work with so many different areas too, from Doctors to admissions it’s interesting to see how it all plays a part in the hospice.

What should more people know about hospice care?

Many have the impression that people only come to the hospice to die. It’s actually about giving people support when they need it most – whether it is patients or their loved ones. I don’t think people realise how much care goes into it, and just how personalised the support provided at the hospice is.

I’d like to say thank you to everyone I’ve been able to work alongside during my placement. Every member of staff I’ve spoken to has been so kind and welcoming, it’s been a pleasure to spend time here and learn more about what hospice care is really about.

Thank you Chelsea, and we wish you all the best for your future career!

Keep your eyes out for more Meet the Team features during Hospice Care Week. In the meantime, you can find out more about our care and support on Our Services page.