National Nurses Week
Manju Raju
National Nurses Week is an imperative celebration which honours the hard work and dedication of our Nurses. This year’s theme is ‘’Nurses Make the Difference’’, a testament to how they are the backbone of healthcare. While the number of Registered Nurses continues to rise in the UK with there being approximately over 700,000 on the permanent NMC register, the same cannot be said for Care Home Nurses, with there being a 31% decrease in Registered Nurse’s working in Care Homes between 2012-2022. This is why it is important that we continue to celebrate our nurses, in particular Care Home Nurses like Manju, and share their inspiring journeys with the world. Without them, we can’t make health happen.
Nursing is not just a profession; it’s a privilege, says Manju (Registered Nurse from our Maypole Care home.) Caring and connecting with others is at the heart of what she does, and we were lucky enough to receive a walkthrough of what it takes to become a Care Home Nurse.
Manju described it as a transformative journey involving ‘’education, training, clinical experience, and professional development. It is both a rewarding and challenging profession that requires dedication, compassion, and commitment to provide quality care’’.
Reflecting on her journey so far, she told us that ‘’knowing that I can alleviate someone’s pain, provide comfort, and support their recovery is incredibly rewarding. The trust and faith that patients and their families have in me fuels my commitment to do a good job every day’’. A statement that reminds us that nursing is a service of love and compassion.
As with many professions, nurses can employ their life-saving skills in a variety of different settings. With this in mind, we were curious as to why Manju chose nursing in a care setting. Manju offered a heartwarming response giving us a glimpse into the lives of our residents and nurses, ‘’care homes provide individualised care needs with personalised care plans. The residents feel comfortable as they see the care homes as their own homes’’.
A typical day involves ‘’caring for residents, administering medicine, monitoring their health and wellness, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and providing emotional support to residents and their families’’.
Beyond the care home walls, you’ll find Manju socialising with family and friends, embarking on exciting voyages, and cooking up mouth-watering food to unwind and relax.
Setting us apart from anywhere else she has worked was our career development opportunities. She acknowledged the training and career development that Bupa provides to nurses and those around her, to excel in their chosen career paths.
’’Bupa’s commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services contributes to a sense of pride and purpose amongst its people’’, our people are proud to work at Bupa. Manju showcases this spirit every day, embodying our core values of being brave, caring, and responsible in all aspects of her work.