If you took a trip into Balhousie Pitlochry in the picturesque heartlands of Scotland, you could almost certainly find Svetlana Marici busy with her beloved residents. She loves her work so much, she takes all the hours she can to spend time there – and takes her husband with her!
A nurse of 10 years’ experience when she arrived in Scotland from Romania in 2015, she began as a Senior Carer at the Perthshire care home, while she worked for her professional registration and Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Passing the hurdles of UK registration
Before an overseas nurse can practice in the UK, they have stringent hurdles to clear. They need to provide evidence of their nursing qualification from their home country; pass two online competency modules in relation to numeracy and clinical practice; pass an exacting, in-person exam, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), to rigorously assess their clinical skills. Then these tests allow registration with the NMC with strict adherence to their Code of Practice. And of course, Balhousie Care Group maintain strict records for all overseas nurses to ensure full compliance with all requirements.
Hard work shows rapid career progression
Svetlana passed swiftly and with flying colours such that, within three months of arriving in the UK, she had resumed her calling as a nurse. Within a year, by 2017, she was appointed to the lead role of Charge Nurse, and shortly afterwards successfully achieved the Deputy Manager position. Because, while Svetlana necessarily came highly qualified, she immediately and consistently demonstrated not only her dedication to her residents and her colleagues, but her fastidious work ethic too.
As she says, “Moving to rural Scotland, there were naturally things I was worried about. But instead of experiencing any culture barriers, I found the Balhousie staff so friendly, and local people very understanding and incredibly supportive, helping me to make Scotland my home.”
Building relationships
A great part of Svetlana’s success comes from her joy in forming relationships and lasting bonds with all the residents and their families, becoming good friends with many of them.
“I look forward to providing solutions to the challenges my work presents and enjoy using my full range of clinical skills and expertise every day, as well as passing this on in training new staff,” Svetlana says. “Giving efficient, friendly care and kindness to those who need our help, quite simply makes me happy. I enjoy the many varied tasks and opportunities the job has to offer and I meet so many different people, both here at work and in the local community.”
Happy to join the family
In fact, Svetlana became so happy and settled in her new home and Balhousie ‘family’ – which she attributes to Balhousie’s understanding and support of family life – she encouraged her husband Peter, to join the team which, she says, adds to the balance of their work and home life.
“Balhousie Pitlochry is a very good place for us and we feel lucky to make a difference in people’s lives. Pitlochry is a beautiful old town with a huge sense of community: there’s everything you need nearby, including a nationally-acclaimed theatre and local music scene. There’s always lots going on!
“Seeing the Roe deer playing among the trees in our home garden is incredible and a great delight to our residents. With Scotland’s stunning scenery and nature surrounding us, Peter and I love where we live and love where we work.”
