Masimba - Mental Health Nurse

My current placement provides continuing care for services users with dementia, which could be early onset of dementia or the late stages of dementia. We make sure we care for the service users and meet their daily needs, to support and make sure that the service users are comfortable.

I feel I have gained a lot from this placement in terms of taking care of the service user, making sure they are settled on the ward. From working with our Occupational Therapists (OTs) and doctors I have learnt so much about how to treat a service user with dementia.

We always work in partnership with OTs where we set up a group where the service users will come and take part, whilst obviously supporting the service users and working as part of a team. We use props to try and engage with the service users. Making sure they take part and hopefully enhance their coordination rather than being sedentary. I’ve really enjoyed the continuing care of the elderly, supporting the service users, making sure that they are cared for and also taking part in reminiscing in the old people’s lives.

Nursing as a man might sound a bit challenging but if you put your heart into the course I believe any man can do the course, and I would encourage other men to do it. Prior to coming into nursing, I didn’t meet some of the criteria which were required for the university. I did an access course, which was a 1-year programme. It was quite intensive but I got the grades and then enrolled as a student nurse. So if I can do it, any man can do it!

Image credit to K Bursa