In Conversation with Nurse Rachael: Sponsor a Nurse Q&A

Every day, our nurses bring comfort, dignity and expert care to people within their homes.

Our Sponsor a Nurse monthly giving programme ensures compassionate support is always available to families in our community, right when they need it most.

We spoke to Rachael to find out about what it is like being a Clinical Assessor for our Hospice at Home team at Rowans Hospice. For Rachael, her job is more than providing clinical care: she supports patients and families in the comfort of their homes, helping them manage symptoms, understand their care, and make the most of the time they have together.

What is the most surprising thing about working at Rowans Hospice?

The biggest surprise for most people is that it’s not a sad place. Of course, we care for people at the end of life, but there is so much laughter, kindness and love. Every day we’re privileged to make a real difference, whether that’s helping someone achieve a wish, supporting a family or simply bringing comfort when it’s needed most. I have worked here for 11 years in various roles and love it as much now as when I first joined.

Can you tell me about a moment that stands out in your work?

There are so many moments that stay with me, but it’s often the smallest ones that mean the most. Sitting quietly with a patient who just wants someone to hold their hand, seeing a family relax because they know their loved one is comfortable, or hearing someone say, “I can finally stop worrying.” Those moments remind me why I do this job.

Can you describe a typical day in your job?

No two days are ever the same. As Clinical Assessor for our Hospice at Home team, my day can involve triaging urgent referrals, supporting nurses with complex clinical decisions, visiting patients at home, working with GPs and hospitals, and making sure patients and families receive the right care at the right time. It’s busy, unpredictable and challenging, but incredibly rewarding.

Why did you become a palliative care nurse?

I have always wanted to care for people when they need it most. Before I became a nurse, I wanted to be a midwife because I was drawn to being there for people during life’s most significant moments. Looking back, I realise I still found that calling—just at the other end of life’s journey.

Palliative care allows me to care for the whole person, not just their illness. It’s about listening, supporting, advocating and helping people live as well as possible for whatever time they have. It is a privilege to be welcomed into people’s lives at such a personal time, and to be able to make a difference not only to the patient, but to the people who love them.

What does “dignity and comfort” mean in practice when you’re caring for patients?

It’s different for every person. Sometimes it’s making sure someone’s symptoms are controlled so they can rest peacefully. Sometimes it’s helping them stay at home surrounded by family, respecting their wishes or simply taking the time to listen. Dignity is about treating every person with kindness, compassion and respect, no matter where they are on their journey.

What’s a small moment in your day that means everything to you?

When a family tells me they finally feel able to take a breath because they know their loved one is comfortable. That sense of relief is something you can’t put into words, and knowing we’ve helped bring that peace means everything.

What does “making someone comfortable” really look like in your care?

It’s about much more than medication. It might be adjusting someone’s pillows, making them a cup of tea, helping them get outside into the garden one last time, easing their breathlessness or simply sitting quietly and listening. Comfort is personal, and taking the time to understand what matters most to each individual is at the heart of what we do.

What’s something people often don’t realise about hospice nursing?

People often think hospice nursing is only about caring for someone in their final hours, but it’s so much more than that. We help people live well for as long as possible, support families through incredibly difficult times and often become the calm in the middle of what can feel like chaos. It’s one of the greatest privileges to do this job.

Why should people sign up to Sponsor a Nurse?

Your support helps us continue providing expert care to patients and families when they need it most. Hospice care is about so much more than medical treatment—it’s about reassurance, compassion and helping people make the most of every moment. By sponsoring a nurse, you’re helping us be there when families need us most.

What would you like to say to someone who signs up to Sponsor a Nurse?

Thank you. You may never meet the people whose lives you touch, but your kindness makes an incredible difference. Every visit, every conversation and every moment of comfort we provide is only possible because of the generosity of people like you.

Your monthly gift goes straight to supporting the care our nurses provide, helping them create moments that often matter the most, whether it’s providing medication so someone can be pain-free, being there for a family through all kinds of emotions, or simply offering a comforting presence during times of change.

From £10 a month you can Sponsor a Nurse and help create more of these special moments.

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