May 2020
Jodie's journey to becoming Head Nurse at OSJCT Grevill House
Jodie had always dreamt of becoming a nurse when she left school but initially pursued other interests including some travelling and some office work.
Jodie started at Grevill House in Cheltenham as a carer 15 years ago to gain a few years of care experience before completing an Access to Nursing course. Jodie studied Adult Nursing at The University of West of England (UWE) and gained her degree 3 years later. During Jodie’s training, she embarked on various placements including working in urology, intensive care, district nursing and day surgery. Placements gave Jodie an idea of where she may like to work when qualified and Jodie initially went into district nursing. Jodie enjoyed district nursing as it covered a whole variety of care needs, she was assigned to a GP surgery and it had a similar level of continuity of care in the community as you do in a care home setting.
Jodie took some time working as an A & E nurse which she really enjoyed, although the shifts we long and it was often very stressful. A & E taught Jodie a lot and she had the opportunity to pick up new skills before going back to district nursing.
Jodie came back to Grevill House as a bank nurse while still district nursing and Jodie realised how much she enjoyed being back at Grevill House so she joined as a full-time nurse in May 2019. Jodie enjoyed the management of care in a care setting, getting to know the residents and following residents through their whole journey. In December 2019 Jodie was successfully appointed to the role of Head Nurse at Grevill House and enjoys the day to day challenges, the variation of care and getting to know the residents.