A FORMER soldier who swapped her army career for nursing on the Covid frontline in Coventry has been nominated for an international hospital award recognising her ‘kindness, care and compassion’.
After leaving the Royal Signals, Kelly wanted to go into healthcare and find a role that would allow her to spend more time with her son Freddie, who has Down’s syndrome.
Kelly did not think studying would be financially possible until she discovered the Nursing Associate s Apprenticeship course at Coventry University.
The 39-year-old spent two years as an Apprentice Nursing Associate on the respiratory wards at Coventry’s University Hospital, qualifying last March with a foundation degree.
Now Kelly’s a fully registered Nursing Associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council – and has just been nominated for a UHCW DAISY Award.
This international recognition programme honours ‘the skilful, compassionate care’ nurses and midwives provide daily. An anonymous nominator described her as “the most kind, caring and compassionate nurse” they had come across in a long time.
Kelly, originally from Richmond North Yorkshire and now living in Bulkington, said: “My family comes first and that is why I left the army.
“I was offered a respiratory role but it was a tough decision as I had just lost my mum to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). I didn’t know if I could do it but I did and I’m glad I accepted the place.
“I had no idea when I took this role that I would qualify during a pandemic but I love my job and it is perfect for me.
“I was overwhelmed by the nomination. I think it’s because I saw the difference it made to the patients to see their families on video call.
“People can’t come in and see poorly family members due to the guidelines – I make sure I find time to help people connect.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University, Professor Guy Daly, who is also a non-executive director at UHCW and Daisy Awards lead, said: “Kelly is just the sort of person to be nominated for the DAISY Award due to her kindness, selflessness and commitment to her patients.”
Kelly is also supporting the next generation in her role in practice development as a student nursing associate practice facilitator.
She said: “It’s a great honour. The students are amazing. They were scared at the start but we have seen them grow and they love it.
“Everyone is tired but we are just at the peak of the rainbow – hopefully we will slide down soon.”
Nursing Associates work as part of the wider nursing team in a new role designed to bridge the gap between nurses and healthcare assistants.
The Nursing Associate role is a stand-alone role that also provides a progression route in to graduate level nursing.
Anyone interested in finding more about the apprenticeship degree can go here.
