Day in the life of Lydia, Student Nurse at Dove House.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to undertake your placement at Dove House?
I’m Lydia, a mum to a wonderful little boy and a newlywed too! I hadn’t always dreamed of being a nurse, but after seeing the incredible care nurses provided to me and my family during difficult times, I realised it was the best way for me to give something back. Dove House is my first placement and, as a mental health nursing student, we complete one adult nursing placement during our training.
 
What stage are you at in your nursing training, and what are you hoping to learn during your time here?
I’m a first-year student on my very first placement. During my time at Dove House, I’m hoping to learn the fundamentals of patient care, such as washing and bed making, as well as how to make patients as comfortable as possible in the last days of life. I also want to develop my therapeutic communication skills so that I can help make a very difficult time in both patients’ and families’ lives a little easier.
 
What attracted you to palliative or end-of-life care?
I didn’t have any direct experience of palliative care before starting here, but personal family experiences made me want to support others during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. I feel incredibly grateful to help patients have what we often describe as a “good death”, where they are comfortable, pain-free and surrounded by loved ones, with dignity and compassion both in life and in death.
 
What does a typical day look like for you on placement?
My shift starts at 7am with the morning handover, where the night nurses update us on any changes with our patients. Before the shift starts, I’m usually assigned to work alongside a nurse, so I help care for the patients they’re looking after that day.

After handover, I do a walk around the ward, saying good morning to everyone and offering breakfast, and of course a cup of tea! Then we begin the medication round, which is a great opportunity for me to learn about medications I hadn’t come across before my placement. I get to understand what they are used for and discuss with the nurse why a patient might be taking them.

While this is happening, the care assistants begin helping patients with washing and personal care, and I assist where I can, making sure to check patients from head to toe. Once the morning washes and medications are complete, it’s soon time for lunchtime medications and for syringe drivers to be replenished, and also time for our lunch break.

In the afternoon, I often spend time interacting with patients, talking with their families and sometimes simply being a shoulder to cry on. I also help update care plans. Each patient has individual plans that guide their care, and it’s really interesting to see the different journeys people have while they are with us.
Before I know it, it’s 7:30pm and time to hand over to the night shift.
 
What kinds of tasks and responsibilities are you involved in?
I assist nurses with medication rounds, ensuring the “five rights” of drug administration are followed. I also help with washing and personal care, repositioning patients to maintain skin integrity, updating care plans, supporting bereavement conversations and I’ve also had the honour of assisting with Last Offices.
 
Who do you work closely with during your shifts?
I mainly work alongside a nurse, but I also regularly support the care assistants. Occasionally I attend outpatient groups too, helping as an extra pair of hands where needed.
 
What were your first impressions when you started at Dove House?
Everyone was so welcoming from the moment I first walked through the doors. The whole team is incredibly compassionate and genuinely wants to help you learn. My first day felt quite daunting as I had no previous care experience, but once I started on the Wilberforce Unit I quickly felt like I belonged there. The environment is calm and supportive, and there is always someone willing to help if you’re unsure about something.
 
What stood out to you most about the hospice environment compared to other placements?
As this is my first placement, I didn’t have anything to compare it to. However, the calm, supportive atmosphere really stood out to me.
 
What have you learned so far that has had the biggest impact on you?
Learning about the wide range of diagnoses that can lead someone to require palliative care has had the biggest impact on me. I’ve learned about conditions I had never heard of before and seen how they can affect a person as a whole, not just physically.
 
How has this placement helped you grow, both professionally and personally?
This placement has helped me grow in many ways. Personally, it has made me appreciate the small things in life and reminded me to always treat people with kindness because you never know what someone might be going through.
Professionally, I’ve developed a lot too. I feel much more comfortable having conversations about death and the processes surrounding it. I’ve also learned how to recognise signs of deterioration in a patient and identify different wound types and medications, things I had very little knowledge of before starting here.
 
Have there been any moments that challenged you, and what did you learn from them?
The first death I witnessed was very challenging. It felt strange to grieve for someone I hadn’t known for very long. Over time, though, I’ve realised what a privilege it is to be part of someone’s final journey. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to feel emotional and even have a good cry. Death will never be easy, but every emotion you experience is valid, and there is always someone at Dove House ready to support you.
 
Can you share a moment that has stayed with you during your time here?
One moment I’ll always remember was the first patient I saw being discharged. I had built a really good rapport with them and I was over the moon that they were able to go home and spend quality time with their family.
Before they left, they thanked me for everything, and I thanked them too. There were definitely a few tears! We had joked about their favourite meal during their stay, and I still make sure to have it once a week as promised. I’ll never forget the lessons they taught me.
 
What does compassionate care mean to you, and how have you seen it demonstrated at Dove House?
For me, compassionate care means putting yourself in the patient’s position and trying to understand everything they are experiencing, physically, emotionally and socially, so you can support them in the best possible way.
The staff at Dove House demonstrate compassion every single day. They never judge a book by its cover and always work closely with patients and their loved ones to achieve the best outcomes. Sometimes it’s not the big gestures but the small things, like finding out what music someone enjoys so they can listen to it, or remembering exactly how they like their tea. Those little acts of kindness make a huge difference.
 
How does it feel to support patients and families during such an important time?
It feels like a real privilege to support patients and families at such a significant time in their lives. Very few people get the opportunity to provide care and compassion during these moments, and I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do so.
 
How have the Dove House team supported you as a student nurse?
I’ve received so much support from the whole team. We have weekly teaching sessions where we go into more detail about things like syringe drivers. If I ever don’t know something, someone will always help me find the answer. On more challenging days, there’s always someone there to talk to or lean on. There are no silly questions, and even if you make a mistake you are supported to learn from it. It’s such a positive and encouraging environment.
 
What makes the hospice team special?
The hospice team truly are special. They have the ability to make an incredibly difficult time easier for patients and families. They provide reassurance, spend time with people on both good days and bad, and always greet everyone with kindness and a smile. Dignity is always the priority, and the team works hard to give patients as much independence and control as possible. They really are angels.
 
Before starting your placement, did you realise how important fundraising is to the hospice?
I didn’t realise just how important fundraising was before I started here. The incredible care provided simply wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the public. Every penny raised goes towards supporting patients and families during an extremely difficult time, and it really is appreciated.
 
From your perspective on the ward, how do donations and community support make a difference?
Donations and community support make a huge difference to the care we can provide. For example, the bathroom has recently been renovated thanks to donations, making it feel much less clinical and far more relaxing, helping the hospice feel like a home from home. Support from the community also helps us improve equipment on the ward, which ultimately benefits our patients.
 
Has this placement influenced your future career aspirations?
It definitely has. As a mental health nursing student, I hadn’t previously considered working in palliative care or bereavement support. However, after my time here I’m now exploring different career paths within this area.
 
What would you say to other student nurses considering a hospice placement?
I would say absolutely go for it. It might seem daunting at first, but it’s such a rewarding and unforgettable experience. You learn so much, not only about nursing but about life as well. Supporting patients and families during the dying process is a huge honour, and something I will always be grateful to have experienced.
 
What are you most proud of during your time at Dove House so far?
I’m most proud of the resilience I’ve shown during my time here. Like any healthcare setting, there are challenges, but I haven’t let them hold me back. I’m proud of how much my confidence has grown as a student nurse, learning to speak up for myself and others, and to uphold the NMC values that guide our profession.