‘Sharon Finn intuitively can tell what a person needs at a given time. Sometimes they may need music or singing, at other times to be able to talk about death and dying, or just to be quiet. Seeing the impact of her skilled approach can be incredibly moving - an isolated withdrawn patient who you suddenly hear laughing or joining in a song.’
Sharon has worked at the Hackney hospice for 10 years, joining the nurse-led respite ward five years ago. She realised she wanted to work there after coming to visit a patient that she had been supporting in her previous job as a neighbourhood warden.
Her team praise her teamwork and the positive environment she creates with her outlook and infectious enthusiasm and her extremely high standards of patient care.
For her ‘the little things are the big things’, whether it is making someone a cup of tea, helping with manicures or trimming patients' hair. On her days off, Sharon completed a course of massage workshops, and she now offers massage to patients, and works with the complementary therapies team in the neurological support group.
Her team says she picks up on concerns around patients’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs, noticing any tell-tale patterns and feeding back when they are in pain. Her colleagues speak of her warmth and compassion, and her ability to communicate with people from all walks of life with all sorts of needs.
Building relationships
‘I want to make every contact count and show people I value them, and I think that shows,’ explains Sharon. She believes the key to building relationships with patients is being consistent in everything you do.
If you build a relationship, you can understand their body language and people will tell you their concerns. If a patient needs a cup of tea, that can be the start of building a meaningful relationship with them.Sharon cites the example of a woman she has been caring for. ‘She is very quiet and I have been trying to connect with her. One day some music came on and I could see a reaction in her eyes so I invited her to dance with me. Her face lit up. No matter where people are, they have an ability to feel pleasure. You need to tap in and be sincere but it takes energy and mindfulness.’
You can read the full story here http://rcni.com/newsroom/nurse-awards/every-contact-counts-nurse-awards-finalist-natural-carer-26086