Our Nurses On International Nurses Day 2023

For IND 2023...

We spoke to four Spectrum colleagues who joined their sites as newly qualified healthcare staff. They share how they became interested in nursing, the biggest myths of working in their environments, and what they love about their roles.

Ryan, Clinical Team Lead at HMP Haverigg

Tell us why you decided to get into nursing/care.

I’d be lying if I said I grew up wanting to be a nurse. Honestly, it wasn’t something that had even crossed my mind until my late teens. Having grown up in a family full of engineers, healthcare wasn’t something I had been exposed to or knew much about. I was, however, aware of the skills that I held, and planned to utilise these in a role that suited. This, coupled with the desire to help people, narrowed my options regarding future plans and helped me tailor my A-level subject choices. I decided to engage with work experience to assist me in my future planning. Having initially sampled teaching (I had a sister at uni studying this at the time) I decided to step out of my comfort zone into healthcare. Once exposed, I never really looked back. I thoroughly enjoy the caring aspects of the role, but additionally my interest was piqued by the science behind physical health problems. This combination led to me deciding that a future in nursing was the right path for me. Later that year, I applied and was accepted onto an adult nursing course at the University of Cumbria.

What is the biggest misconception or myth about prison healthcare?

I think when people think of prisons, they immediately think ‘safety’, or rather lack of it. This is not the case at all. People expect that the environment brings nothing but conflict and confrontation; whilst there is some of this, I would argue there is no more than any other healthcare environment. Moreover, the support for this in the prison environment is much more readily available.

What are your favourite things about working in a secure environment?

There are many things I enjoy about working within a prison environment.

Some of these include –

• The rewarding nature of the environment. The patients detained in prisons often come from areas of high health inequality and poor engagement with healthcare services. This, therefore, provides an opportunity to really engage these individuals and empower them to improve and look after their health.

• The wide variety of complex health conditions and mixture of acute and chronic care allows for excellent professional development.

• The changeable nature of the environment means no two days are the same.

• The multi-disciplinary and interagency working that is required.

Is there any advice you’d give to a newly qualified nurse considering prison healthcare?

Don’t be afraid to do something different. Prison healthcare is poorly understood, and an area of practice which I had not considered until I undertook a placement in this environment.

Taking my first job within prison healthcare was the best decision I have made. It has provided me with a solid platform for my career and has allowed for excellent professional development – including further university study, prescribing, and now my Advanced Clinical Practice training. Whether newly qualified or still a student, prison healthcare is an area of practice I truly believe every nurse should sample.

What are your nursing aspirations for the future?

I have recently started my Advanced Clinical Practitioner training in September 2022.
Whilst this is probably the toughest point in my career (trying to juggle family life, work and training) I understand the outcome will be worth the hard work.

My current role provides me with the opportunity to work both clinically and operationally. However, my long-term goal is to be patient facing on a day-to-day basis, providing the best possible standard of care and helping to reduce the health inequalities associated with those who come to prison.

Leanne, Registered Nurse Associate at HMP Full Sutton

Tell us why you decided to get into nursing/care.

I had always known from a young age that I wanted to be a nurse; I would choose to watch Casualty rather than cartoons.

I loved the idea of being able to care for people whilst having an invaluable skill, being able to work across multiple areas delivering the same trained skill, and each two days are never the same.

What is the biggest misconception or myth about prison healthcare?

I believe the biggest myth or misconception about prison healthcare has to be that people immediately and automatically assume you won’t be safe, because you’re not an officer or you’re not trained to work within this setting.

What are your favourite things about working in a secure environment?

My favourite thing about working within a secure environment is the people I get to work with, getting to work closely within a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, mental health nurses, pharmacists, doctors and recovery workers.

There is not a single day I come to work and don’t get to learn something new. The environment can be challenging and fast paced, but you’re never unsupported.

But the best thing about working in a secure environment is never feeling like your “just” a number or another employee – I feel valued.

Is there any advice you’d give to a newly qualified nurse considering prison healthcare?

My advice for anyone newly qualified considering working in a prison setting is to do it!

You will never know unless you do – you have to be on the other side of the gate to know what we do. You will work within a challenging environment, but will never be unsupported as a decision made will always be made together.

This may be the forgotten workforce, but it’s the most rewarding and skill-enhancing job.

What are your nursing aspirations for the future?

My aim for the future is to remain in secure settings, but eventually to have progressed into a more senior role with a specialist subject.

Kelly, Substance Misuse Clinical Manager & Modern Matron at HMP Styal

Tell us why you decided to get into nursing/care.

My career began as a Healthcare Assistant at HMP Styal 17 years ago. I commenced nurse training in 2011, continuing to work at Styal on a contract of 20 hours per week. During this time, I was fully supported by my Spectrum managers and colleagues regarding my aspirations and personal development goals.

My time as an HCA provided vast experience which proved to be valuable throughout my nurse training – and it was in this role that my passion for the substance misuse aspect of nursing began. I was, of course, grateful for all experiences encountered – particularly given that all were multifaceted, rich, and memorable.

What is the biggest misconception or myth about prison healthcare?

I feel that prison nursing is largely under represented and the biggest misconception is that prisons are a very dangerous place to work.

What are your favourite things about working in a secure environment?

My role as a Clinical Manager has many variables and enables me to work clinically alongside my team, whilst simultaneously being a member of the healthcare SMT – where I have opportunities to influence culture and positive change. All aspects of my role contribute to striving for improved health outcomes for patients and a happier, safer work environment for all members of the multidisciplinary team.

Is there any advice you’d give to a newly qualified nurse considering prison healthcare?

Working in prison healthcare provides you with vast and unique experiences. I have worked at the prison since 2006 and no day has ever been the same!

What are your nursing aspirations for the future?

My aspirations for the future are to continue striving for high quality standards of care that is equitable for all patients who we are privileged enough to care for.

Jo, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Wakefield Sexual Health Clinic

Tell us why you decided to get into nursing/care.

I  originally started as a carer in the community and from a little push by my husband, I decided to develop my career further and go into adult nursing.

What is the biggest misconception or myth about sexual health?

I think many people still think it’s just about STIs and that people go to sexual health clinics because ‘they have got something’. When, actually, sexual health nursing is about looking at the whole picture and attending to all aspects of a person’s sexual health.

What are your favourite things about working in a sexual health clinic?

I love the variety of different skills we can use, the different patients we see, and most importantly putting someone at ease who may be very anxious to enter our service. I love how we can change a young person’s future for the better.

Is there any advice you’d give to a newly qualified nurse considering sexual health?

To get ward experience first (like I did) which builds your skills for the future. Also, to try and gain as many skills/qualifications as you can for your CV. I feel the world is your oyster in nursing.

What are your nursing aspirations for the future?

To build my confidence in being a dual-trained clinical nurse specialist and to continue to enjoy doing what I love.