10 Feb 2023 Care

The Kirkwood’s Nicola Oates becomes newly qualified nurse associate

Our movement is made up of amazing local people, all united behind one common purpose – to ensure the people of Kirklees have access to the very best end of life care. 

Our nurses play an integral part in this work, constantly showing love, kindness and compassion to anyone who needs our help and support. Caring for people with a life limiting illness isn't just a job for our nurses, it’s a vocation, and our newly qualified nurse associate, Nicola Oates, is proof of this. Having worked with The Kirkwood for the past 12 years, Nicola was ready and determined to take that next step in her career. 

Having been a healthcare professional since 2011, she has recently passed her nursing associate degree at Huddersfield University with a distinction. On her journey so far Nicola said: "I have worked in nursing since I was 19, working in a nursing home before going on to work with district nurses. I came to The Kirkwood and worked as bank staff and liked it so much that when a job came up permanently I applied and have been working with The Kirkwood now for 12 years. When an opportunity came up to study at university towards becoming a nurse associate I had to be talked into it because I thought at my age people don't go to university. However, I have loved it over the last two years. It's been very hard work having to juggle home life, work and studying but it has been so worth it." 

Nicola says her new role has lots more responsibility including delivering medication to patients. Nicola explained how she never thought she would become a nurse but is now thrilled that she is one. 

She added: "There is a lot of responsibility on me now and a lot for me to learn. I'm newly qualified and excited about it but I know I've got a lot more to learn about this role. I never thought of being a nurse when I was young, when I was 19 I just went for a job in a nursing home and have never looked back. It was definitely my vocation when I found it." 

Prior to joining The Kirkwood team, Nicola already had a connection to the The Kirkwood, in the early 2000s, her dad, David, was cared for and died at the hospice. 

"I didn't know how I'd feel at first, I think because I had such a personal connection to The Kirkwood. But I wanted to use my experience and empathy to help other families and patients. Not that you can't do that if you haven't had that previous experience but I just think you understand completely what are going through.

"The reason I have stayed with The Kirkwood is because I'm passionate about what we do, especially the palliative care side. I think the quality of care that we offer is so high too, it really is a special group of people that work here. The nurses are so passionate about giving the right care and making people's lives as comfortable as possible in such difficult circumstances. The fact we look after families and loved ones too is very important to me and all my colleagues." 

Nicola worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and says the hardest thing was patients not being able to see their loved ones. 

She said: "It was really hard during the pandemic, it was so difficult when we had to restrict visits to the In-Patient Unit. Thankfully we are moving back to normality now." 

Nicola is so grateful for all the help and support from her colleagues whilst studying to become an associate nurse. 

She says: "I'd just like to say thank you for everyone's constant support. The team has been right behind me, encouraging me even when I thought I couldn't do something. They have been there every step of the way throughout me studying to still supporting me now in my new role. Ultimately we are a team and work together here, we look out for each other and that's why I love being part of The Kirkwood movement."