I always wanted to be a nurse
Ali Carruth, Executive Director for Prevention and Health Inequalities
I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the age of four, I never waivered, not once.
I ask my four-year-old daughter what she wants to be ‘when she grows up’ and she names a list of careers from footballer to train driver to vet. Who knows what she will be, but I knew I would be a nurse.
I had a nurse’s uniform and I used to play with my younger brother, wrapping him in bandages and making him my ‘patient’.
I flunked my GCSEs as I was more interested in nightclubs at 16 than studying. I spent time resitting them in order to apply for a place at a school of nursing. As I was the first in my family to train as a nurse, I didn’t know where I wanted to train. I asked my dad who was a London cabbie where the best hospital in London was. He was very clear, so I applied, was successful and started my nurse training in April 1991 at The Middlesex and University College Hospital in London. I was 17, delighted to have my freedom and moved into the nurses’ home in central London. I had a lot of fun and made friends for life.
Me as a student nurse
We spent six weeks in the school of nursing before being let loose on real patients. I had my first placement on a 28-bedded male medical ward. I loved it!
I remember saying to my mum at the time that I couldn’t believe I was being paid to do something I loved. As I was so young, I was full of energy, enthusiasm and excitement to be learning while doing.
A memory I often share is being asked by the nurse in charge to check a patient’s blood glucose using a simple finger prick test. I’d been shown how to do it so I confidently approached my patient in bed two. As I approached him, my face fell… my patient had no arms or hands. I had no idea what to do!
He fortunately noticed my discomfort and laughed saying ‘they prick my ear lobe, go ahead’. I remember feeling so embarrassed and shook as I pricked his ear to check his blood glucose.
That feeling has never left me but it very quickly built a close nurse/patient relationship and I soon realised the importance of having a poker face when needed!
My three-year nurse training flew by and I then went on to work in London as a staff nurse, rising to ward manager over a number of years in HIV nursing. After 11 wonderful years I decided to move to Devon for some cleaner air, open spaces and the sea.
HIV nursing taught me so much about stigma, inclusion and inequality. It sparked my passion in this area which led me to do my degree in mental health nursing as those with mental ill health are often stigmatised and marginalised in society.
Me now
I’ve had a very varied nursing career over the past 32 years and have worked in many parts of the country and in many sectors: Acute, community, mental health, charitable, hospice and NHS England. That’s one of the real benefits of the NHS, there are so many opportunities open to you, in so many different roles, in all areas of the UK.
Not only have I worked in the NHS for 32 years, I have, on many occasions been a patient of the NHS, as have my family and friends. Every single time the NHS has been incredible.
I’ve been with KCHFT now for almost eight years. It’s the longest I have ever stayed in one place, but I think that’s because I have also moved roles in that time and had time off on maternity leave too.
The NHS and KCHFT are wonderful places to work and I remain passionate and committed to the NHS and all it stands for. Although it has been around for 75 years, in order for it to survive and be accessible, responsive and provide the best outcomes for our population, in my opinion it needs to adapt and change. There needs to be a greater focus and investment in preventing ill-health so we become a health service that focusses on maintaining good health rather than ill health. We need to modernise how and where we deliver care, drive down our costs and be as efficient and productive as we can be.
I’m so proud to be a nurse, to work in the NHS and for KCHFT. Together we all make a difference to our patients.
#NHSProud #TeamKCHFT
