Falguni Soni, who works at CSH Surrey, shares with Nursing Times what she enjoys about her role in a community hospital and why she chose to pursue a career in nursing
What does your typical working day look like?
“In a community setting, every day is unique due to the variety of diverse patients presenting in the hospital with different medical conditions and care needs. Due to the hospital having a rapid turnover of patients, each day presents a different set of challenges. A typical day involves participating in ward rounds with different health professionals such as doctors, occupational therapists and other professionals involved in the patients’ care. This leads on to communicating all medical interventions with the patients and their next of kin, drugs rounds and completing appropriate referrals to relevant agencies prior to discharge planning.”
What attracted you to your current role?
“When I was a healthcare assistant, a neighbour called me to help his wife. I was able to recognise the signs of a stroke and immediately called 999. I was able to communicate the symptoms and stayed on the phone and with the neighbour until an ambulance arrived. This made me realise that I had the potential and wanted to do more – to become a nurse. For me, being able to engage with a variety of different patients to build my skill set and support others is what attracted me.”
Who had the biggest impact on your career?
“There have been a lot of people who have made an impact on my career to fulfil my dream of becoming a registered nurse in the UK. This includes my family, friends and colleagues. However, I would like to thank my manager, matron Sarah and my colleagues at CSH Surrey. The learning and development team encouraged me into a registered nurse degree apprenticeship. It made a big difference for me and my family because I could earn while I was learning.”
What do you enjoy most about your role?
“I like to understand the health conditions, and be able to explain this to the patient and their family to come up with a holistic approach to their care. Nurses have the ability to bring understanding and peace during what can be a challenging time for patients and families. I have the opportunity to deliver high standards of care to patients in the hospital.”
What’s been the standout moment in your career so far?
“To be the first in my family to obtain a degree has given me and my family great pride. To have attained this during the Covid-19 pandemic, while facing the challenges this brought at work, at home and in my studying makes it even more special.”
What are your ambitions for the future?
“I would like to develop in my nursing career, within the community setting, and work towards being a senior nurse in the hospital. I would also look to working in a more acute setting to develop my knowledge and skills. I would like to complete a master’s degree in nursing.”
What advice would you give to someone who wanted a job like yours?
“There is only one piece of advice I would like to give and that is never give up. This career path can be challenging but, equally, as rewarding. All the hard work is worth it once you qualify, and the sense of pride being able to help others is a feeling that cannot be matched.”
Career file
Name: Falguni Soni
Job title: Registered nurse
Employer: CSH Surrey (Central Health Surrey)
Main responsibilities: Assessing patients’ needs and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and timely nursing care; making sure all routine activities are carried out; comprehensive discharge planning; and timely management of situations that may indicate that a patient’s condition has changed
Salary (or range/band): Band 5
Average hours worked: 37.5 hours (full time)
Career history: Falguni moved to the UK from India in 2006 and worked on a community hospital ward as a healthcare assistant. She undertook a three-year apprenticeship in September 2018
Qualifications: Registered nurse (degree) apprenticeship