Acute Stroke Personal Statement

Personal statement

Please consider the following in support of my application for a position of an Acute Stroke staff nurse (HASU/ L21) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

I completed my nursing studies in 2012 gaining a Bachelor of Nursing Science (Adult) degree from the University of Nottingham. Since qualifying, I have worked on a 16 bed hyper-acute stroke admissions ward. The ward triages and admits patients straight from the ambulance service, GP surgeries and the Emergency Department. Where appropriate patients are thrombolysed on the ward and acute patients are cared for and closely monitored in their first few days post stroke. Working on this ward has enabled me to develop my skills and knowledge thus extending my scope of practice

Effective communication is key to the successful running of the ward from triaging emergency calls on admission right through to ensuring safe and successful discharges. I am confident in my ability to effectively communicate using verbal, non-verbal, written and electronic means. An example of when I achieved this is when I completed a set of observations including a GCS on a patient inserting the results onto an electronic device, I noticed the patient was unwell and escalated my concerns using SBAR to a doctor. I attended to the patient, then informed the family, and updated the nursing evaluation notes and online handover so other staff members were aware. In practice, I actively participate in ward rounds, collaborating with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure patient-centred care. This is achieved by handing over patients nursing interventions and concerns to guarantee continuity of care. As stroke patients have complex rehabilitation needs, it is necessary to liaise closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team, service user and relatives/ carers to ensure optimum recovery is achieved and ensure safe and successful

If tasks are beyond my level of competence I always ask for assistance, for example when triaging a patient and I am unsure they are suitable to be admitted to the ward, I would seek help from a professional whom is capable of making that decision. I adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Professional Code of Conduct as well as national and local guidelines, including keeping abreast of the latest evidence based practice. I proactively aim to minimise risk to patients and maintain safety by keeping up to date with mandatory training and following agreed moving and handling procedures. I always adhere to strict infection control policies and contribute to the cleanliness of the ward. When moving to a new trust I am aware of the importance of familiarising myself with local trust policies and guidelines. I also recognise the importance of honesty and incident reporting to improve standards of care in hospitals and to contribute to a high standard of clinical governance. I am confident in my ability to fulfil my responsibilities within the NMC Code of Conduct. I believe in treating patients fairly and how I wish to be treated.

On my current ward, there is a strong research-based ethos with a number of different trials frequently taking place. As part of the nursing team, it is important for us to assist the research nurses in our clinical practice to ensure