In the second installment of Being a Nurse at Elysium, hear from Sarah Waller, Tissue Viability Nurse at Jacobs Neurological Centre.
Despite being in a car accident and working in a different industry, Sarah never gave up on fulfilling her dream career in nursing. Now working at Elysium, Sarah has embraced new ways of working and is passionate about seeing the positive impact on her service users. With the autonomy to create and implement care plans, she’s been able to guide service users beyond the acute stage, watching their progress as they heal and grow.
Sarah’s journey with Elysium has also provided her with opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Over the past year, she’s attended key industry events like Wounds UK and the European Wound Management Association, learning from experts and sharing the inspiring stories of her service users to support others in their learning.
Where did you do your training and why did you decide you wanted to be a nurse?
I knew at five I wanted to be a nurse. I did it as work experience in high school, then I worked voluntarily in the hospital, I did my pre-nursing course at 16 and began my nursing qualification at 17.
And then I got hit by a car and experienced the other side of the tale and my nursing career halted. A lot of service users say ‘you’ve been a patient haven’t you? because you know….’. And yes, they’re right, I do know what it’s like to be a patient and supported by a nurse.
Essentially, I had trained for two years and then the accident happened. I was told that I would never nurse again because of the long shifts and how those would affect my legs and back. And so I abandoned nursing – and was devastated to do so – and retrained as a beauty therapist, something I did for 10 years. I was made redundant at a company I was working for.
And so I thought I would go back to my first love, nursing. I wrote to Addenbrookes and said – this is me, this is what I can do – what can you offer me? And they invited me in and I became a newborn hearing screener as a maternity care assistant at the Rosie Maternity Hospital. I loved that job. But I needed to progress!
They seconded me to do my full nurse training which I did at Homerton College of Health studies at Cambridge University and gained my BA Honours.
Where did you take your career from there?
I had always wanted to work in the accident and emergency area. I wanted to be an air medic but wasn’t fit enough to do that, but I could work in the emergency department! I was there for 10 years and worked for CUH for 20 years altogether including seven years as a Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse.
It is fascinating and I really enjoyed that aspect of the role. When I saw the role came up at Elysium 12 months ago, I knew it was for me. The service I work at is a neurological service – my first ward I worked on was a neuro trauma ward and so I feel like I have come full circle.
What is your Nurse role like now?
My ideal job when I’ve been asked is to work in a neuro rehab service as a wound care specialist. And that’s what I do!
And my role has been different and the same! The best thing is I get time to stop and think about what I’m doing and the most valuable thing is that I can see a service user from the beginning to the end. In acute it’s not like that – you don’t get too much involved as they move on after you have treated them.
Being a tissue viability nurse is incredibly rewarding. We have seen people have amazing outcomes with wounds which were badly impacting their quality of life before they come to our service. Being able to touch your loved one without the worry of causing them pain, giving them a connection again. In some cases it has been life transforming for people – from being disinterested in life and barely conscious to smiling, chatting to grandchildren and engaging – all because a wound has been treated.”
What Is your favourite thing about working for Elysium at Jacobs Neurological Centre?
Service users, colleagues and families. The service users who offer their trust, the colleagues who are prepared to trust a different way and the results we are drawing together.
Having the opportunity to see my service users past the point of the acute stage, being given the autonomy to put plans into action (but also with a guidance and support if needed). Also all these eager minds that are so hungry to learn and being able to begin their facilitation and confidence into wound care, preparing the next generation of Tissue Viability Specialists. In addition to being able to help other centres and guide head office in their journey of wound care and tissue viability.
What training if any have you done with Elysium? How has it helped, what did you learn?
They have enabled me time to learn so much over the last year in going to Wounds UK and European Wound Management Association, to learn from others and also present some of our service users stories to help facilitate others learning. They have in addition allowed me to continue to facilitate my knowledge to others. I’m hoping to do more training soon through Elysium.
Why should someone become a Nurse at Elysium?
If you are an experienced nurse and want a change from the NHS they will utilise your knowledge and experience. There are opportunities within Elysium to grow and forward your career. If like me you were a ED and/or critical care nurse earlier in your career or now, you would be surprised how a place especially in Neuro services would so much benefit from your knowledge and it is so humbling to see service users at the other end of the tunnel as in acute we only see the beginning, but to be part of the end story the rehabilitation story. I have bumped into service users here that I looked after acutely in Tissue Viability and see their growth and family in lighter circumstances fills you with a new style of compassion.
If you are a newly qualified or experienced Nurse looking for a new opportunity to work in an organisation that will help you to develop and achieve your goals, then Elysium healthcare could be for you. To find a new opportunity at one of our sites across the UK, click here to view our careers page.
Is a Career in Nursing Right for You?
If you have a passion for caring for others, thrive in fast-paced environments, and possess strong communication and problem-solving skills, then nursing could be the perfect career for you. From day to day care to leadership roles, there’s a nursing path that fits your strengths and interests.
As an Elysium Nurse you’ll develop expertise in patient care, medical treatments, and teamwork while making a real difference in people’s lives. A career in nursing is challenging, rewarding, and life-changing. If you’re ready to provide compassionate care and support to those in need, we’d love to hear from you.