“A job with Sue Ryder helps you grow and it brings out the real you” Leah’s path to end of life care with Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice
Leah joined Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice as a Sue Ryder Nurse, as part of the Skilled Worker Visa scheme (formally known as Tier 2). She shares her story in the hope of encouraging more international nurses to find out about joining Sue Ryder through the scheme.
A passion for palliative care
“I had been working as a nurse through an agency mostly in care homes, when I saw the opportunity to join Sue Ryder,” shares 36-year-old Leah.
“In Zambia, I worked as a nurse supporting prisoners. When I came to the UK I worked in care homes. Most of the time I was supporting terminally ill patients and I found I loved caring for them, being there for them. I discovered my passion for working in palliative care and I knew this was something I wanted to progress. Being there for someone at the end of their life was something I wanted to do.”
Leah started searching for jobs online when she came across palliative care nursing roles with Sue Ryder.
“I asked the agency I was with if they had any nursing roles working with hospices. I didn’t want to work in a hospital as I wanted something that offered people a home from home. Sue Ryder has that. I was put up for an interview and thankfully I had the skills and experience Sue Ryder wanted, so I got the job!”
Everyone was so welcoming. I automatically felt a part of this place.
Leah joined Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, moving from Stoke-on-Trent, in August 2021.
“I was so, so happy coming here,” adds Leah. “Everyone was so welcoming. I automatically felt a part of this place – even before I started my first shift. The Ward Manager organised a meet-and-greet for me and I had a tour of the building to help prepare me for my first day.
“It was really nice and everyone was so welcoming. The team told me how happy they were to meet me and were looking forward to me starting. Everyone at Sue Ryder has been so welcoming.”
It is such an achievement when you know you have helped someone to have a peaceful death.
Leah hopes by sharing her experience more people will find out more about a career in palliative care with Sue Ryder.
“I love everything about my new role – every bit of it. Starting with the admission of our patients, to checking and assessing and meeting patients’ needs, to helping manage pain relief right through to being there for their families, too.”
“To anyone considering a career in palliative care, a job with Sue Ryder is a really good move – it helps you grow and it brings out the real you. It is a great place to learn and you get all the support you need. Everyone here helps you too.
“It is such an achievement when you know you have helped someone to have a peaceful death – being there for them and their family, helping them through the process and helping to achieve the things that matter and are important to them.
“I am really looking forward to progressing my career in palliative care with Sue Ryder.”
Sue Ryder welcomes applications to Registered Nursing positions from applicants who require Tier 2/Skilled Migrant sponsorship to work in the UK with a current registration with the NMC and demonstrated work experience in the UK.
Find out more about Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, the expert palliative care Sue Ryder provides and ways you can help to support.
For more information on our latest job opportunities and how to make an application, get in touch with our recruitment team by emailing recruitment@sueryder.org.