‘it’s important to be as responsive as you can to their needs’ | nursing times

Sharon Worgan, who won the Rising Star Award at the 2019 Nursing Times Awards, describes what she enjoys about her role as a staff nurse at a surgical assessment unit HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE

YOUR ROLE TO SOMEONE YOU’VE JUST MET? “I look after patients in an area of the hospital you would go to if you were in A&E and they decided to keep you in. The patients are usually

acutely unwell, so being able to assess patients and recognise and respond appropriately to deterioration is essential.” WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL WORKING DAY LOOK LIKE? “Every day is different

on a surgical assessment unit and there are a range of different patients with different needs coming through the door every day. There is normally a quick turn around of patients, so each

day brings a new set of challenges.” WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE? “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse but the time was never right to start my training. I realised there would never be a

right time unless I took a chance. Six years later, it’s the best decision I ever made.” WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE? “I needed a fresh challenge, and one that was closer to

home. I had over an hour commute to my previous role as a sister. The surgical assessment unit seemed like a good change. I love the pace of assessment units, never knowing what is coming

through the door next. I still feel like the ‘new girl’, but for me nursing is about what we do on a day-to-day basis, not a job title. I’m learning every day and I work within a really

effective team.” WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOUR CAREER? “In my previous role in a local authority, I was surrounded by really influential strong-willed women who I really looked up

to and aspired to be like. They weren’t nurses, but they taught me to stand tall, speak for those who had no voice, have difficult conversations, and to embrace change.” WHAT’S BEEN THE

STAND-OUT MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? “It has to be winning the Rising Star Award. Being recognised by such high-profile people within my profession for the work I had been doing on the

registered nurse with a specialist interest role at Warrington Hospital, as well as the challenging role as a homelessness practice nurse in Salford was an honour. I was surrounded by so

many inspirational nurses that night, to think someone saw me in that way was incredibly humbling.” WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE? “I enjoy working in acute units, however, I really

miss working with socially excluded groups such as homeless people. I’m torn between working towards a specialism in an area, such as diabetes, or maybe becoming an advanced practitioner

and working with the homeless.” WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTED A JOB LIKE YOURS? “Go for it. Working in any acute area of the hospital means you have to be prepared for

every shift to be very busy, so you have to like life in the fast lane, but it’s extremely rewarding. You look after patients when they’re at their most vulnerable, so it’s extremely

important to be as responsive as you can to their needs.” CAREER FILE NAME: Sharon Worgan JOB TITLE: Staff nurse, surgical assessment unit EMPLOYER: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

SALARY/BAND: Band 5 AVERAGE HOURS WORKED: Full time – 37.5 hours CAREER HISTORY: * Staff nurse then sister, 20 months, acute medical unit, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals *

Homelessness practice nurse, 1 year, Salford Primary Care Together * Director/trustee, 5 years, Project 34, Salford * Principal officer, 2 years, Housing Support Link, Salford City Council *

Contract officer, 8 years, Supporting People Team/Integrated Commissioning Team, Salford City Council QUALIFICATIONS: * BSc (Hons) pre-registration adult nursing * CMI level 3 leadership

and management