Meet Jaime: A journey into Nursing at Thames Hospice

“They were really supportive here with shifts and helped me to maintain a good balance between working and studying”

That support meant she could continue working in a familiar environment while developing the knowledge and experience she needed to become a nurse.

Learning through every experience

One of the biggest challenges during Jaime’s training was regularly finding herself in unfamiliar clinical environments. Each new placement brought different people, routines and ways of working, and starting somewhere new could sometimes feel like going “back to square one”.

But those experiences also taught Jaime an important lesson: the people around you can have a huge influence on how you learn and develop.

“I think people have a huge impact on your training. The work itself is great, but if the people are not so great, it can really impact you.”

Her final placement, on an oncology ward, was particularly memorable because of the support she received from the team there. Their encouragement helped Jaime feel more confident as she approached the end of her training and prepared to become a qualified nurse.

Becoming a Staff Nurse

After years of studying, placements and shifts, qualifying as a nurse was a huge milestone, although stepping into the role came with some nerves.

“It felt weird, I had a bit of imposter syndrome. But the transition did feel smooth in the end”

Today, Jaime works as a Staff Nurse at Thames Hospice, where every day brings something different. Her role involves much more than looking after a patient’s medical needs. She considers their emotional and psychological wellbeing too, as well as the needs and dynamics of the people closest to them.

“Each patient has different needs and wishes. Providing holistic care is an important part of what we do here.”

It’s a role that requires Jaime to constantly adapt, think and problem-solve, something she has grown increasingly confident in since qualifying.

Why hospice care?

Hospice care wasn’t originally part of Jaime’s career plan. She says she “fell into” it after her mum encouraged her to apply for a role at Thames Hospice, but she quickly realised it was somewhere she wanted to stay.

What she values most is the time the team can give to patients and their loved ones, allowing them to provide truly individual care and build meaningful relationships.

"I love the level of care we’re able to give here. We have the time to really focus on each person, and that can feel different from other healthcare settings."

For Jaime, that sense of connection is an important part of what makes hospice nursing so rewarding. She feels part of a team where her contribution matters and where she has the opportunity to make a genuine difference.

“You feel like part of a team here and I appreciate the support I get from my colleagues”

Caring for the whole person

At the heart of Jaime’s approach is seeing the person behind the patient.

People can arrive at the Hospice during an incredibly difficult and frightening time in their lives. By understanding what matters to each individual and caring for their physical, psychological and emotional needs, Jaime and the wider team can help them feel safe and supported.

“The main thing would be being able to look after someone holistically and see to all their needs, which is very rewarding.”

Looking ahead

Looking back at the 20-year-old Health Care Assistant who wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, Jaime is proud of how far she has come.

Completing a nursing degree alongside work meant making sacrifices and putting other parts of life on hold. There were difficult moments, but reaching the end made those challenges worthwhile.

“I’m really proud of that because that was hard.”

Now qualified, Jaime is looking forward to what comes next at Thames Hospice. After several years of hard work, she hopes to spend some time travelling, while continuing to develop her nursing career.

Advice for future nurses

For anyone considering following a similar path, Jaime’s advice is simple: give it a go.

Training to become a nurse is challenging, and there may be moments when reaching the finish line feels a long way away. But Jaime knows from experience how quickly those years can pass and how rewarding it feels when you finally qualify.

“If you’re thinking about doing it, then do it. Three years does go by quickly, weirdly, and it will be worth it.”

Her own journey is proof that you don’t need to have your whole career mapped out from the beginning. Sometimes, taking that first opportunity can lead somewhere you never expected.

“Just do it.”