May 2020
Eleanor tells the story of her nursing career
"Nursing is a dynamic and evolving profession. I don’t think anyone would regret taking up a career in nursing."
Eleanor Alexis has been a registered nurse for 25 years. Having spent 21 years working at various hospitals, 4 years ago Eleanor decided to move into social care and took up the role of a nurse at Monkscroft Care Centre in Cheltenham.
“I joined the team at Monkscroft with the ambition to make a difference to people's lives in the community. I want people to feel comfortable and relaxed leaving a loved one in my care. Working in social care gives me the opportunity to get to know each resident and their family which is very important to me.”
A typical shift as a Nurse at Monkscroft involves Eleanor assisting and leading a team of carers who are working to ensure each resident receives a high quality of care tailored to the individual.
“We have care plans in place for every resident to make sure they receive person-centred care. The care team and residents at Monkscroft are like one big family and we all look after each other.”
Eleanor was born in St Lucia and enjoys bringing parts of Caribbean culture to her Monkscroft family.
“Our residents and staff enjoy watching me dance around the home. Dancing is a big part of our culture in St Lucia and brings a smile to peoples faces. We invite residents and their loved ones to our employee celebrations, and everyone enjoys trying food from different parts of the world. We really are one big family at Monkscroft.”
When asked about the importance of celebrating International Nurses Day, the answer was a simple one for Eleanor.
“Because we are great! The work nurses do can sometimes be forgotten. Celebrating nurses helps to lift spirits and recognises the hard work and effort we put in.”
Finally, Eleanor has some passionate advice for anyone considering a career in nursing.
“I think nursing is the best career anyone can choose. Nurses are in demand all over the world and it gives you the opportunity to meet some amazing people. Nursing is a dynamic and evolving profession with different facets that you can specialise in. I don’t think anyone would regret taking up a career in nursing.”