I have been working as a Macmillan community nurse for three years now and palliative care is my passion. It is such a privilege to be welcomed into people’s homes at a very private and important moment in their lives. People often ask me how I cope in my role which can very challenging at times. I tell them that the human spirit and the resilience of the people that I meet every day really inspires me. This year is significant for Macmillan as it marks the 40th anniversary of the first Macmillan nursing team. Knowing that I can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer is what motivates me every day.
6.30am
My alarm goes off. I have a dog, so I’m generally up and about to take him out. I just have time to make a quick coffee which I’ll take with me for my journey to work.
8.30am
I’ll arrive at the clinic and have my breakfast. In winter, I’ll make some porridge to keep warm or cereal and fruit in the summer. I try to respond to letters and emails as this is really the only chance I get to do this.
9am
Our clinic opens at 9am. Normally, the staff get together for about 30 minutes to look at referrals, talk about the agenda for the day and discuss any concerns. It can be a challenging role so this meeting is important so the team feels supported.
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