Compassion is such an essential part of care. Kind words and thoughtful gestures bring comfort when people feel stressed or sad and provide emotional support in difficult circumstances.
Some healthcare professionals, like this month’s Florence Star Award winner Charlene, take goodwill to another level.
Empathy is everything
In November 2022, we received a glowing email from a woman whose mother is a resident at a care home in North Yorkshire. She told us that while covering as head nurse on the second floor in late October, Charlene had taken excellent care of her mother and the other residents.
“My mother had been in a great deal of pain,” said the woman’s daughter. “Thanks to Charlene, the local GP was brought in and finally, after weeks of discomfort, she was made comfortable.”
Despite being very busy, Charlene chased up the local GP practice and looked after the woman’s mother with care and empathy. While visiting, her daughter noticed that Charlene treated the other residents in a similar way.
“Her care and professionalism were second to none,” she said. “She’s amazing and a total credit and asset to your team.”
Charlene’s path into nursing
Charlene’s journey into nursing began at an early age. After leaving school, she became a healthcare assistant and took NVQs in care before training to be a nurse at the University of Nottingham.
“I’ve been a registered nurse for 10 years,” says Charlene. “I’ve worked in dementia care, district nursing, leadership and management positions, and I love making a positive difference in someone’s day.”
No matter where she works, Charlene always goes the extra mile to ensure her patients feel safe and cared for, regardless of their needs. “It’s a privilege to be a part of someone’s life, especially toward the end,” she says.
Working with Florence
“The best part about working with Florence is the flexibility,” says Charlene. “I particularly enjoy using the app, which is easy and straightforward to navigate.”
Charlene likes being able to see information about care homes online before booking shifts. She also appreciates Florence’s timesheet submission and payment options, which make her life easier. “The training at Florence Academy is great, too,” she says.
Would she recommend Florence? In a word, yes. “I’d tell anyone to give Florence a try,” she says. “It’s hassle-free to join, and the app is brilliant – I can plan my working week quickly and easily.”
Championing kindness
We believe that acts of kindness make the world go round, so we’re delighted to give Charlene a Florence Star Award. We’ve also sent Charlene a luxury food hamper to say an extra thank you – we hope you love it, Charlene!
If you’re a healthcare professional and you’d like to be considered for a Florence Star Award, tell us a bit about yourself and add your thoughts about Florence to our testimonial form here.
Florence can help you find flexible shifts near you, take essential training courses and improve your work-life balance. Find out more and sign up today.
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