Making a difference
Words from the wards: Jenita Loheswaran, Nursing Associate graduate talks about her nursing training at the University
Invenite spoke to Jenita Loheswaran ñޓ Nursing Associate graduate and recipient of this yearñޙs
Mel Joyner Award ñޓ as she embarked on the next phase of her nursing training at the University.
There were countless occasions during my course when I wondered what on earth Iñޙd let myself in for. We had three days of induction in the classroom and that was it ñޓ I was on the wards of a community hospital in Cornwall.
Iñޙd done a
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree at ñ and was working in the offices of a student letting company, wondering what my next step should be. ññޙs Nursing Apprenticeship seemed the perfect way to get hands-on healthcare experience and develop professionally at the same time. I certainly didnñޙt imagine when I applied that I would fall in love with nursing.
One of my early placements was on a stroke rehabilitation ward. Iñޙd never met anyone whoñޙd had a stroke until then. Some patients couldnñޙt even swallow. It was Autumn 2020 and the ward was locked down to visitors, so it was down to me and my colleagues to support them in every way. As I got to know my patients over the coming days and weeks, I began to see the difference my care was making.
ñޘIñޙm helping this person walk again ñޓ Iñޙm helping this lady eat again.ñޙ It was an indescribable feeling to have contributed to their recovery ñޓ I was starting to see what a difference I could make as a nurse.
I was two months into my training on my second ever night shift when I had my first death. I havenñޙt forgotten how it felt ñޓ I was terrified. But with the support of the senior nurses, I learned what to do and how to do it.
When I got home the next morning, I thought about the difference Iñޙd made to that man and his family. Iñޙd been privileged to be one of the last people to care for him. It was another turning point ñޓ discovering I was capable of coping and doing a good job. I thought, ñޘif I can do this after a few months, what difference will I be able to make in two yearsñޙ time?ñޙ
There have been plenty of challenges along the way. I moved to Cornwall for this adventure and ñޓ coming from London ñޓ was naïve about the lack of diversity Iñޙd find here. It didnñޙt really hit home until I was the only person of colour on the wards. I started getting comments and remarks made by patients and colleagues ñޓ which have been hard to cope with.
But it was this that prompted me to get involved in the equality and diversity work at the University. I thought ñޓ if I donñޙt do something about this, who will? As a young British Asian woman, I felt it was my duty to be a pioneer of diversity amongst my peers and colleagues.
Weñޙve already made some progress with the nursing curriculum ñޓ some of the new anatomy models in the medical school now have different skin tones. All of the changes are about making us better healthcare professionals. Weñޙre taught in lectures about skin conditions ñޓ but the pictures usually show these symptoms on white skin. I need to know what this rash would look like on my skin ñޓ so I can identify it correctly on all my patients.
Experiencing prejudice at work is difficult, but I treat all patients with the same level of care.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council Code states that we must prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust ñޓ standards of practice I aim to upkeep.
My hope is that through the next 40 years Iñޙm nursing, things will continue to change for the better.
Iñޙm about to start my top up course to complete the full nursing degree at ñ. As Iñޙve been based in community settings for most of my training, Iñޙm excited to get acute care experience and get to grips with faster pace wards. I grew up watching Casualty ñޓ so Iñޙd love to experience A&E life, even if it isnñޙt exactly like on the TV! Iñޙve also been really encouraged by the staff to think about a career in lecturing. Iñޙd never considered teaching, but Iñޙve been so supported by the staff here at ñ that itñޙs something I can envision myself doing. Perhaps in years to come Iñޙll be teaching on the very ñ course I trained on. Wouldnñޙt that be wonderful to come full circle!
The Mel Joyner Award
Mel was a much loved and respected member of University staff who sadly died in 2018. Mel worked at the University for 20 years, her first role was as a lecturer in social sciences and her last role was Director of Student Services.
Melñޙs family have launched this award to celebrate Melñޙs passion for ñ and its students. The annual
Mel Joyner Awards support students at the University who are making a positive contribution to University life.
ñޜThe joy and comfort in providing a bursary in Melñޙs name keeps our daughtersñޙ memory alive. Her dedication and love was for those students at ñ that beat adversity and followed their dream.ñޝ Fred and Dianne Joyner
