From Acute Nursing To A Rewarding Role In Social Care – Raschelle’s story

I first started working at Caring Homes in 2021 but my nursing career began at home in the Philippines many years ago. In 2000, aged 21, I completed my training and took on my first role as a qualified nurse, working in a medical surgical ward and in outpatients where I assisted in procedures such as a craniotomy.

Norwich via Singapore and Stoke

In 2002 I was offered a job at the Singapore Changi Hospital in the trauma/neuro unit. I experienced the SARS outbreak first hand there. I loved Singapore and considered it my second home but at the time, they weren’t able to offer me the job security I needed so I applied to work in the UK.

I moved to the UK in 2004 and started work at the Royal Stoke Hospital (called the University Hospital of North Staffordshire then) alongside 35 other nurses from the Philippines, Hong Kong, and India. I was assigned to a trauma ward. Despite the overwhelming level of duties and responsibilities in the ward, I was a young enthusiastic nurse and I thrived on the work. In 2006, I moved to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to join my husband, who was working at Norwich International Airport.

Reviewing Social Care as an Option After the Pandemic

I enjoyed working at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. I was assigned to the main theatre and recovery/critical care where I acquired a great deal of experience and improved my clinical skills. During the pandemic, my husband was out of work and I became the main earner for the family so I started to work for agencies to help with bills. During this period, I started to be more open to the idea of longer term opportunities in social care.

Working in a care home as an agency nurse, I witnessed the difficulties of COVID first hand, including seeing residents forcibly split from their families. Not surprisingly, the demand for healthcare workers during the pandemic shot up dramatically, meaning I was suddenly handed an immense amount of work. Nevertheless, during this time, I had started to develop a passion for elderly care as it gave me vivid memories of my father, who I wished I had been able to care for when he needed me the most.

I also enjoyed developing relationships and forming bonds with the people I took care of which allowed me to get close not only to them, but also their families. The experience made me feel appreciated, fuelling my passion and giving me pride as a nurse. It gave me more reason than ever to become a social care nurse.

A Challenging, Rewarding Transition from NHS to Social Care

Although making the transition from the NHS to social care took time to get used to, the challenge made it all the more rewarding. While working at the NHS I had felt that my growth had been stunted, due to the lack of opportunities. Making the move to work in care homes finally gave me the chance to broaden my horizons.

I joined Caring Homes in January 2021 as an agency nurse and I haven’t looked back. The manager was very welcoming and supportive which made me feel a lot more ambitious despite the initial challenge of the role. I was offered a Deputy Manager post here at Sanford House Nursing Home, Norfolk, in 2022.

My advice to nurses who want to join Caring Homes is to persevere through the initial transition as once you begin to get accustomed to the role, it becomes very rewarding. The opportunity to improve as a carer/nurse is limitless and at Caring Homes, this includes being encouraged to take part in training and educational programmes which raise your levels of expertise.

Seeing Nursing from a Different Perspective in Social Care

The most important thing I have taken from working in social care is learning how to deal with and to talk with other people. Some residents have behavioural issues due to their condition and I have learned the importance of keeping composed and being more tolerant. This has helped me improve as a nurse but also to develop as a person, allowing me to always place kindness first.

Transitioning from acute nursing to working in a care setting was quite a jump for me, and it felt overwhelming, even stressful at times. But this is just part of the journey. Now I can tell you that with all the experience I have earned and all the struggles I have overcome, I have created a career I know I can be proud of. I have made invaluable connections not only with the people I have cared for, but also the people I work with. If you are looking to see nursing from a different perspective, I firmly believe that working in social care is the way to do so.