Cate Gibson, from Ashford shares an insight into her first year as a Palliative Specialist Nurse (PSN) in Pilgrims’ community nursing team.

Having recently completed my first full year as a PSN, I must say it was a hugely daunting responsibility, but over the year, I’ve managed to take that responsibility and embrace it.

The community nursing team is quite different from the ward nursing team. We spend time assessing and looking after people in their own homes, within the hospice clinics and also supporting through telephone assessments. I liaise with GPs, consultants, district and community nurses, give palliative symptom support and end of life support. Whether the need is for signposting, equipment or sociological support, or all of the nitty gritty that families and patients need to talk about. It’s a vital service, and helping people to understand how to utilise our services and manage their conditions is so rewarding.

I’m based at the Ashford hospice, which I absolutely love; it’s a very special place, I’m so lucky, every time I walk in here, I think everyone is so warm and friendly, I’m so pleased to be part of the team.

My day begins as the team meets with consultants, social workers, occupational therapists and various teams to discuss patients and get to know them really well, they are not just a name.

I’m based at the Ashford hospice, which I absolutely love; it’s a very special place, I’m so lucky, every time I walk in here, I think everyone is so warm and friendly, I’m so pleased to be part of the team.

Cate

I visit patients from across the Ashford area, from the Marshes to Folkestone, Capel and Tenterden; when travelling, I enjoy a podcast or some music and prepare for the next visit. It is so important that I’m able to give 100% of my energy to ensure I can answer all the questions and support each patient with all of their needs.

The community team collate information and share it with the specialist teams at the hospices in order to provide tailored support for each individual.

I think I always wanted to be a nurse. There are family photographs of me at about six years of age, dressed in a nurses outfit, I think I knew even then that nursing was for me. My training began as soon as I could at 18, in London at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.

I worked as part of the team at William Harvey Hospital A&E department for about 15 years and then further trained as a paramedic.

When I worked in A&E, I loved the experience of not knowing what would be coming through the door next. After joining the ambulance service, I discovered that what I really wanted was more continuity, and a better experience with patients rather than seeing someone different every time.

When I’m at the hospice working, I see patients arrive for the first time for therapy sessions, as they come in and see the set up with sofas, volunteers and smiles, you can see they feel immediately safe and welcomed.

Cate

I suppose as I became older, the draw toward palliative care became stronger; both of my parents had hospice at home care from Pilgrims. First my mum some 14 years ago and more recently my dad, who died in Pilgrims Hospice Ashford in April 2020.

Dad felt completely safe being in the care of Pilgrims, the ratio of staff to patients is greater here, allowing us to really prioritise each patient’s individual needs. Dad loved the environment at Pilgrims, he loved being here, and his preferred place of death was here. As this was during COVID, we were only allowed one visitor in the building; both Dad and I were looked after here, it’s a very special place.

I wasn’t working for Pilgrims then, but it really did inspire me to think about palliative specialist nursing.

When I accepted the role at Pilgrims, I brought my paperwork to the Ashford hospice and thought, this is the first time I’ve been here since Dad was cared for here. But I knew it was the right thing to do.  My colleagues from the ambulance service said that they couldn’t think of anyone better to come and do this job for Pilgrims. I’m very proud, and I know Mum and Dad are proud of me too.

I just wish I’d found this job earlier.

Cate

It’s so very different to being in a hospital environment, we are able to offer so much more to support our patients, whether it’s breathlessness management, occupational therapy, wellbeing counsellors, social workers and most importantly a 24-hour helpline. I’m a duty nurse once a week, and do a late and early shift during the week, manning the phones. I speak to people about all of the horrible things going on at home and help them to find solutions and coping methods.

Service users are always so overwhelmingly grateful of our services.

When I’m at the hospice working, I see patients arrive for the first time for therapy sessions, as they come in and see the set up with sofas, volunteers and smiles, you can see they feel immediately safe and welcomed.

Recently, I was speaking to a lady about her husband who is in our care. She said: “Cate, you are the most amazing palliative care nurse I’ve ever spoken to.”

This was very humbling and an emotional tribute to all that we do here at the hospices. There’s something about me, I’ve found my niche in nursing.

It was indeed a massive learning curve coming to Pilgrims, the job satisfaction is beyond anything I’ve ever done, I come to work each day knowing that I’m going to make a difference to someone who is in need of our special care.

Cate

Some days you have people who are more well and in an earlier stage of their illness, when others are more unwell and come by wheelchair with their partner. The role of community nurse encompasses so much, including care for the partner’s wellbeing, offering advice, speaking to siblings and doing as much as possible to help the families through such difficult times. Getting equipment and medication in place and reassuring the families. The team work not only the day shift but can be on-site until 10pm and weekend shifts too.

It’s so lovely when someone takes the time to send a little thank you note, especially during such troubled times. I feel very blessed to be able to listen to people and identify their needs, it’s a good gift to have. I am so grateful that we have this wonderful hospice in Ashford, we help so many people, and the telephone service is so important helping people to identify services that are available to support them.

It was indeed a massive learning curve coming to Pilgrims, the job satisfaction is beyond anything I’ve ever done, I come to work each day knowing that I’m going to make a difference to someone who is in need of our special care.

I think it’s a wonderful calm environment to work in, it envelopes you as soon as you walk in, whether as a patient or a member of staff, we are a great team. Knowing that the hard work you put in benefits so many people makes it a really rewarding job.

When Cate isn’t busy with her nursing role, she loves to relax with her one-year-old springer spaniel Edith, enjoying long walks, especially in the rain!

Finally, Cate added: “I love working with my colleague Dr Pia, she’s really great, very forward-thinking and proactive and keeps us all very motivated. I just wish I’d found this job earlier.”

If you’d like to find out about a career in care with Pilgrims Hospices, please visit pilgrimshospices.org/jobs.

Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured.  The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.