“I love getting to know our patients” – newly qualified nurse shares experience so far

Becca Chard joined North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust in October last year – in a first ever role as a staff nurse after completing her qualifications.

Becca has been working in the respiratory/medicine unit at the University Hospital of North Tees.

We spoke to Becca to find out more about her experience at the trust to date and her advice to other newly qualified nurses looking for their first opportunity.

Can you tell us a little bit about the first year in your role?

I’ve really enjoyed it from the very beginning. All of the team here is really lovely, it’s such a nice environment. I really like working with each and every person, I have a really nice ward manager and everyone is really nice and supportive.

How have you been supported?

As a newly qualified nurse, there has always been members of the team to help answer a question and provide me with that support when needed. Nothing has been too much and staff have always done whatever I have needed to support me.

Working shifts has meant working with any number of staff here – but, whoever I have had to ask, people have always been very happy to help me.

Did you find the preceptorship programme helped you develop within your role?

Preceptorship was really useful – it helped provide information and advice for me in my role on the ward at a time when I wasn’t as knowledgeable about the role as I am now. As well as the experience I got in the clinical setting on the ward, it added to the experience and knowledge I now have.

What do you like most about your role?

Helping my patients, seeing them come on to the wards needing our care and helping them improve and go home in a much better place than they arrived in.

I also love getting to know our patients, getting to really know them to the point where I miss them when they do go home. It’s fantastic getting to know people and building that relationship with them.

What would you say to anyone wanting to join NTH as newly qualified nurse?

I would say go for it. My experience has been nothing but positive – I really like working here with a fantastic team and in a really good environment.