Annaliese Abrahams, a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in the NHS, has made a large impact at Gracewell of Ascot care home since joining in September 2020.
After working in the NHS for over eight years and eventually leading an Intensive Care Unit, Annaliese decided to join Gracewell of Ascot after developing a passion for delivering exceptional palliative care.
“End of life care shares the same importance as it does helping to bring life into this world – you only ever have one opportunity to get palliative care right”, she said. Adding, “Gracewell of Ascot offered me the opportunity to make this a peaceful and dignified experience for these particular residents while being able to help support families through some of the toughest times.”
In her role at the care home, Annaliese also helps to treat residents who require nursing care by understanding their medical history, administering medicines safely, performing diagnostic tests and providing emotional support. She also acts as an advocate for residents to ensure they have the best quality of life possible while supporting the wider care team to provide excellent care services.
Since joining, Annaliese has thrived on making a positive impact on the lives and health of residents and has enjoyed giving back to the “incredible men and women who have done so much for us in the past.” She also said that one of her highlights since joining the care home has been administering vaccinations against COVID-19 to residents.
Annaliese says that she would strongly recommend other nurses consider working in a care home, saying:
“I have been able to carry out my job to care for people passionately whilst also being able to help empower other care team members to help them achieve their professional goals. I truly feel appreciated at work and that my ideas are listened too.
“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 Pandemic really took a toll on the nursing industry. However, working at Gracewell of Ascot has really helped me to regain my confidence on how a healthy work life balance can be maintained. My passion for nursing has been reignited by my time at the care home and it truly is a really special career.
“I have also formed relationships with the wonderful residents at Gracewell of Ascot and learnt so much about their incredible life stories. They thoroughly deserve the highest standards of care and I smile and laugh every day while caring for them – it’s a real joy to come to work.”
Annaliese says she now looks forward to developing a long-term career in care as she now feels healthier and happier within herself which has reflected into other aspects of her life. She also says that her family are grateful for the benefits they have seen within her since transferring to the sector.
Speaking of Annaliese’s successes, Raina Jordan, the General Manager at Gracewell of Ascot, said:
“Annaliese has a huge amount of experience and excellent clinical skills as well as a passion for nursing where nothing is ever too much trouble. Her ability to reassure residents and families is exceptional and she has received wide praise since joining the team.
“Her attention to detail and her kind and touching approach to end of life care has made an incredibly difficult time for residents and their family members more bearable.”
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