Life as a Rainbow Place Nurse

Life as a Rainbow Place Nurse

An inside look into being a paediatric nurse within a Hospice setting with Zoe Fairbrother, our Rainbow Place Team Leader Nurse.

What made you decide to work in palliative care?

It was curiosity for me. When I was a student nurse, I was looking after a child in Hospital and the family told me about the care and support they were receiving from the local Hospice. I was curious and rang about a placement opportunity to see what it was all about.

What are the main differences between adult and children’s respite care?

Both services are unique. However, for children’s respite it’s about providing a much-needed break from time to time for parents and caregivers who are looking after a terminally ill child, which often needs to be more frequent than our adult respite.

Our children’s respite is often centred around play and fun rather than rest for the patient, but symptom management is also a part of it. Respite here is more about a regular sleep over for children at Hospice with competent and trustworthy carers providing reassurance for families to try and switch off from the 24/7 care required for their child.

What are some of the highlights and challenges you see on a daily basis?

We often see families who are feeling frustrated and isolated about not being able to change things for their child and sometimes just being a person they
can talk to, helps. When families start to talk and share their journeys with you, especially when they start to trust you, to care for their child, you feel like you will then be able to make a difference for them along their journey.

A positive aspect of this job is watching children interact and play together at the parent/carers group while the parents get to unload and chat over a well-deserved coffee. I love seeing the healthcare assistants and nurses interactions with the children who stay at Hospice, especially hearing about how much they are getting to know the child.

Do you find it difficult to work in an end of life service?

It’s an absolute honour and privilegeto spend time with our Rainbow Place children and families on their journeys, learning all about the children’s little quirks along the way. Therefore, being able to be there for their end of life care is also an honour. I work together with the family/friends and professionals involved to ensure the patient’s wishes are being heard and the care/supporting being provided is the best possible care. Each family’s journey is so unique and if you feel like you have made a difference to that family, on their journey, you have had a good day, that said, just being there and listening to families’ pain and hopes is sometimes enough.

What’s one piece of advice you have for families entering our service?

Take the time to get to know the team members, they want to get to know you and your family and WILL always care about you and will always be trying to find new ways of supporting you.

- Life as a Rainbow Place Nurse was featured in the Hospice Waikato May Newsletter