Employee spotlight | Nandi, general nurse

We are thrilled to highlight Nandi, a general nurse, who started her journey with us at one of our Nursing Homes; Broomy Hill in Hereford. Nandi completed the Palliative Champion Training Course with St. Michael’s Hospice back in December. This accomplishment not only enhances her expertise but also showcases her dedication to delivering outstanding care to our residents.

We sat down with Nandi for an insightful interview, where she shared her inspiring journey and passion for nursing:
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So can you share with us what inspired you to become a nurse?

Nandi: Well, my journey began nearly 15 years ago, back in my beloved home country of Zimbabwe. It’s where I come from, where my roots lie. Unfortunately, at a very young age, I experienced the loss of my father. His dream of seeing me become a nurse stayed with me, as initially I wanted to become a lawyer. I decided to follow the dream of my father and became a nurse in honour of him which is something I am very proud of.
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How did you end up working in a nursing home environment?

Nandi: I was looking for change when I was back home, I wanted to move to the UK for a while. Then COVID hit and they were looking for nurses to come and help in the front line. So I searched for a job and the very first place I applied was here at Broomy Hill. This was my very first interview, I got the job, and I took it straight away. It was like fate.
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What does a typical day as a nurse entail for you?

Nandi: I start with handover, getting their medications ready, supporting other staff.. then go on to talking with the residents, listening to their stories, especially from their childhood. It’s always interesting to really get to know people, what they used to do when they were young. What they enjoy doing when they were growing up, their job, whether they had any children, their family, the background. And the nicest part is always telling them about my culture. And always bringing up all the nice African weather, of course. There’s never a dull moment, there’s always a bit of fun to happen in some way.
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What do you find most rewarding about your job?

Nandi: It’s when I’m saying goodbye to the residents before going home, it’s always smiles and ‘thank you very much for today’ from some of the residents.. that is very fulfilling. It shows that I’ve done something I’ve touched their life today. So that is lovely. And the nicest. I mean, the cherry on top is when they ask you whether you’re coming back tomorrow or not. And smile you get when you say yes, I’m coming back. Yeah, that’s wonderful.
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Have you had any experience in this industry before?

Nandi: While I hadn’t worked in a nursing home before, I have a background in mental health nursing, which has been invaluable in my role here. I did mental health nursing as part of my general nurse training in Zimbabwe. I was seconded to a psychiatric hospital where I encountered different mental health issues like schizophrenia and dementia. It was all in one place. It was a good learning experience and has given me a wealth of knowledge.
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Is there anything you’re passionate about outside of work?

Nandi: I love cooking. Yes, I love cooking. Especially Oxtail- I make it just like I did back home. I also love exploring different towns in the UK, getting know the British culture, the foods, how people do things.
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What advice would you give someone aspiring to be a nurse in a care setting?

Nandi: I always tell aspiring nurses that working in a care setting is incredibly rewarding. I mean, to deal with people who really require your expertise. Genuinely, you don’t always get that kind of genuine appreciation and trust from patients like you do from the residents. And it’s good fun. Every day is different, we have a good time.

Nandi’s dedication to providing compassionate care and her positive impact on our residents. We’re fortunate to have her with us at Broomy Hill, and we look forward to her continued contributions in enriching the lives of those we care for.