The passion for caring still there for Bupa nurse
After 17 years as an enrolled nurse at Eventhorpe Care Home in Hamilton, Stephanie Clarkin sees herself as “part of the furniture".
Well known for her banter with residents, they know when Stephanie is coming down the corridor by her distinctive laugh and cool hands during examination.
“I always stick up for my residents as I care for them like I would my own parents. I make sure I give the kind of care I would want if I were them,” Stephanie says.
With a career beginning as an enrolled nurse in the late 70s, Stephanie had stints working as a teacher aid for children with special needs and as a farmer, but she knew her passion was in nursing. Recalling a recent resident who had a daughter based in Australia, Stephanie says she received an appreciative letter from the daughter that made it all worthwhile.
“The daughter was not able to be there so relied on our regular phone calls and emails with updates on her mother’s health. She thanked us for our kindness”.
Now a proud grandmother of three from two grown children, Stephanie would often take her grandkids to the care home to spend time with the residents. These visits are something she’s reminded of when both grandchildren and residents ask after each other. While Bupa Eventhorpe Care Home can have its share of residents with behavioural issues, Stephanie says she relishes the challenges in building trust.
“Once you can get through breaking the ice and earning trust it’s very rewarding”.
Tuesday 12 May is International Nurses Day, during 2020 – Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
Stephanie says her role of Enrolled Nurse on duty, under the direction of the Registered Nurse, has given her the opportunity to really get to know residents and families.
“It’s been important for me to have that connection with residents. You have to be passionate to be a nurse and to always think of a resident like your own parent”.
