MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday 9 May, 2024
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As we mark International Nurses Day this Sunday, 12th May, a care home in Kirriemuir is on a mission to change perceptions around care home nursing.
Lisden Care Home in Kirriemuir, has been welcoming student nurses from the University of Dundee, Abertay University, and Dundee & Angus College for placements for a number of years. Bringing future members of the nursing profession into the care home environment, and seeing the positive experiences the students are having, has spurred the team at Lisden to champion the exceptional work of care home nurses everywhere.
They aim to become a centre of excellence, so much so, one nurse at Lisden, Robyn OIiphant, is a finalist at the RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year awards later this month.
Led by Agnes Oliphant, a nurse and the Home Manager at Lisden, she is proud to break stigmas around care home nursing. Agnes said:
“What people don’t always see and understand about care of the elderly is that it’s actually a speciality. Nursing in this area is so complex clinically, from caring for people with dementia to physical ailments like diabetes and COPD, and so much more. People don’t see that side of what we do because we’re a home, not a hospital.
“It’s been wonderful seeing students come here and have really great learning experiences. I think it’s made them see that care home nurses work incredibly hard and there’s a lot of autonomy as well. I think you’ve got to be confident in your nursing assessments and abilities given the enormous responsibility you have as a care home nurse, because you’ve got to be thinking outside the box a lot of the time.”
Last November, Kayleigh Young, a second year Adult Nursing student from the University of Dundee, joined the home for a six-week placement. She enjoyed it so much that she has signed up to be a bank Senior Carer while she completes her studies. Kayleigh admits her perception of care home nursing has been transformed by her time with the team and residents at Lisden. Kayleigh said:
“I was quite nervous before I started my placement as I wasn’t 100% sure what I would learn. Honestly, I’ve learned so much. I got so much support from everyone I worked with. It really helped me develop critical thinking. I learned about medicine administration, wound care, personal care and personal care documentation, that’s just a few areas. I loved getting to know the residents too. That’s one of the best things about working in a care home is the close bonds you build. It’s quite different from hospital nursing in that way.
Support in changing perceptions has also come from Helen Brown. Also a nurse, Helen is the Care Home Education Facilitator covering NHS Tayside liaising with the Universities and Colleges. She works closely with the care home staff to facilitate their preparation to supervise and access nursing students on placement.
Having spent a great deal of time in care homes through her work, Helen is passionate about recognising the challenging and varied work of nurses in care home settings. Helen said:
“Care homes are lovely. So is Agnes! What a lovely woman, what a lovely team. I think the care home nurse is a warrior for their residents and will advocate for them. It’s quite humbling. The perceptions persist, but, from a learning perspective, it’s a gift for a student to go into a care home. You can’t beep for a doctor like you often can in a hospital environment. It’s a different style of nursing, but your clinical knowledge has to be spot on. That’s hugely valuable for students to develop as they train.
“I’ve come across students who think all they will do is personal care. I’m quick to point out the learning opportunities. Supporting someone with their personal care is a privilege. While you’re undertaking that, you’re assessing the person all the time, such as mood, ability/disability, independence/dependence, condition, speech, balance, strength, skin integrity, pressure areas, foot health, pain, dexterity, and so on, plus any referrals that are required. And you’re always considering how to make the care person-centred for that resident. You’re building a relationship. It’s so much more than people realise.”
Currently, Lisden Care Home welcomes one nurse per placement, but they are planning, with support from Helen, to increase that to two students by partnering with Kirrie Connections, a local dementia-friendly community hub. Helen added:
“Some of the people who go along to Kirrie Connections may become residents at Lisden in the future as their dementia progresses. By visiting and engaging with people, the students can see the journey from the early stages of diagnosis through to the later stages – all while developing their skills to be even more empathetic, caring and kind.”
For Kayleigh, her experience at Lisden means she is considering returning to care homes once she’s graduated. Kayleigh said:
“I love spending time with the residents and older people generally, so I am definitely considering medicine for the elderly or care home nursing. I’d say to any student nurses considering care home nursing and working with the elderly, go in with an open mind. I’m aware of things that can be said about care homes and it’s just not true. it’s such a good experience and you’re going to learn so much.”
For more information about BCG visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk
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Photo captions
Main photo: L to R: Agnes Oliphant, Home Manager at Lisden Care Home and Kayleigh Young, Student Nurse at University of Dundee
For media enquiries please contact Anna Gunn or Melanie Brockway on:
Anna.Gunn@balhousiecare.co.uk or Melanie.Brockway@balhousiecare.co.uk
Or call 01738 254 254
Notes to Editors
About BCG
Balhousie Care Group (BCG) was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in central and North East Scotland. Today, with 24 homes, providing care to almost 900 residents and employing over 1400 team members, it is one of the leading providers of care for older persons in Scotland, along with specialist dementia and Huntington’s care, care for young adults with a diagnosed learning disability and a Youth Physical Disability service.
Owned by AcalisCare, Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care and inclusivity: putting people right at the heart of everything they do.
Their person-centred approach to care, innovative practices and close community links have made them a trusted name in care and earned them a swathe of awards.
In 2022 alone, BCG took home three Courier Business Awards, including the prestigious Business of the Year, a Great British Care Award, a Scottish Care award and an s1Jobs Shine Award. In 2023, Balhousie Care were finalists in four categories of the UK-wide Housing with Care Awards, winning the award for Supported Housing Innovation. They also achieved four finalists in the 2023 Scottish Care Awards, winning the Training, Learning and Staff Development Award.
