Nominated for Nursing Lifetime Achievement Awardd 2021
Works at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
We don’t know Sandra’s surname as it wasn’t submitted. If you know please let us know via email so we can make sure Sandra finds out!
| Sandra is part of the very fabric of Polkerris Ward. She is first and foremost a fantastic nurse: she prioritises what is right for her patients and delivers the best and most holistic care for them every time, from admission through to ward based care and high dependency. Her years of experience make her our go-to for advice and problem solving, her knowledge knows no bounds. Sandra nurses with compassion and advocacy; this has been especially evident recently with our patients with complex needs where she has prioritised their welfare above all else. It served as a staggering example to witness the difference her act of kindness meant to one particular palliative patient. Her empathy means so much to those in her care; so often our families will ask if she’s on shift when they come on to the ward, quite simply because she’s a favourite!
Sandra is also somewhat of a mentor, ward mum and counsellor to all of us, the backbone of the nursing team. There’s no issue that can’t be resolved with a few minutes of Sandra therapy in the office (she’ll take her payment in coffee). She is not only the first point of contact for our students, but effectively organises their time on Polkerris to enable them to get the most of their placements. She juggles this with coordinating her shifts and striving to improve the ward in other ways, such as completing critical care audits. As one of our senior team, she effectively leads each shift with humour and a calm attitude, keeping us afloat even when we feel we’re drowning. We always feel safe and supported with her in charge. Sandra is a brilliant role model for both medical & nursing staff as she supports practice development with her part time educational role- this enables her the time to divest her extensive nursing knowledge with the team to further build knowledge and confidence amongst the team. She also set up a paediatric education Whatsapp group to further share relevant teaching. As part of her senior role, Sandra forms a key link not only with the medical team but across the MDT and will readily disseminate any useful learning she has gained. Our trust is very lucky to have Sandra. She is the nurse I aspire to be and I hope she realises just how valued she is as a nurse and colleague! |
PAFTAs 