Paul Devlin

Employer: Salford Royal Hospital
Qualifications: DipHe nursing, University of Central Lancashire

My job

I decided I wanted to be a nurse when I was at school after doing work experience in a nursing home. I obtained my first post as a staff nurse looking after acute general medical patients and specialising in cardiology. I’ve since moved to senior staff nurse, charge nurse and then ward manager. Most recently I have been seconded for a year to cover for the existing matron.

My role involves managing and developing three ward managers, and looking after renal inpatient services as well as one general medical ward. I work clinical shifts, which means I am able to have the patient contact I enjoy as well as a leadership and service development role. I normally work three out of five full clinical shifts and spend the rest of the time moving between wards assisting patients and being available to staff.

I find that the best way to set standards of practice is to lead by example. My work involves caring for inpatients with renal disease or failure, and those with a number of acute general medical conditions. Since the patients attend quite frequently for dialysis or because of related complications, I am able to establish a rapport with them. Recently I was given an order of service from a patient’s funeral – I had been given special mention for my kindness during his final days.

Highs and lows

Patients with renal disease won’t get better. Dealing with bereavement can be hard although it’s a good feeling helping to make the experience easier for the patient and their family. I enjoy developing relationships with patients and knowing I’ve made a difference. That difference can even be something as simple as giving a patient a bed bath to make them more comfortable, or assisting them to eat when they cannot feed themselves.