5 minutes with...

Inpatient Unit Nurse Rachel LawledgeEvans joined the St Luke’s family six months ago.

Q. What made you want to be a nurse?

A. I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. I grew up knowing about the great work of St Luke’s as my Nana worked as a nurse at the Hospice during the 90s. She was really proud when I told her I got the job! I’ve previously worked at Leighton Hospital on the surgery and cancer ward and in community care, so St Luke’s is the perfect fit for the knowledge and care that I can give.

Q. What do you love about working at St Luke’s?

A. I love the support that we offer families as well as the patient - helping them deal with a life-changing diagnosis and offering places for family members to sleep so they can be with loved ones 24/7. The role is rewarding but can be very tough and sad at times. However St Luke’s is great with the support offered to nurses. Every Thursday we have discussions with the team about teachings and reflections we can learn to help us process hard situations.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your role?

A. I love working here, it’s wonderful to be able to spend time with patients, getting to know them, washing, dressing and caring for them. Just to make a cup of tea and have a chat with patients is very important.

“It’s a really rewarding job. It’s so nice just to be able to spend time with patients and families. You feel like you’ve made a difference.

Recently I was able to discharge a patient, after helping him with symptom management, and he said to me ‘I just wanted to give up and had such low mood but I came here and you’ve all lifted me up, I’m going to miss you all so much. I’m feeling loads better now and looking forward to going to the pub with friends again.’ It is incredible to see the difference we can make to someone’s life, which is why I do this job.”

Rachel Lawledge-Evans Inpatient Unit Nurse

For more information about the range of services offered at St Luke’s please visit www.slhospice.co.uk/ourservices