“It’s the best job of my career.”
Carol Devaney is an Admiral Nurse at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where she covers the Dudley borough.
A typical day in the role includes carrying out visits to support her families/carers, meeting with her fellow Admiral Nurses and liaising with other services and GPs to ensure her families and carers get all the support they need.
Here, Carol explains her journey to become an Admiral Nurse and what inspires her every day to provide invaluable support to people living with dementia and their carers.
Carol said: “Previous to this role I was a hospice palliative care nurse for 14 years. During this time my late mum developed vascular dementia. I experienced first-hand, the emotional, psychological and physical impact this had on not only mum, but the whole family.
“Mum sadly died 12 years after her diagnosis. During this time, I became the Hospices Dementia Champion, attending university to complete my degree, increasing my knowledge regarding all aspects of dementias and its impact. I delivered training to staff and the community.
“My passion for improving care for those living with a dementia diagnosis and supporting their families is the reason I worked towards becoming an Admiral Nurse.
“It can be distressing, challenging and frustrating but it is most certainly rewarding when you can make even a small positive impact for your families. Knowing carers have a nurse dedicated to supporting, educating and guiding them through what can be, at times, a difficult journey, is an honour.”
To find out more about the Admiral Nurse service at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, visit: https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/admiral-nurse-team