Over the weekend we marked International Nurses Day and would like to carry on that theme by introducing you to Rachel Marchesano, a Clinical Shift Lead for our NHS111 Service based in Oldbury.
With 15 years’ experience as a registered nurse, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to patient care to her role.
"From being a young child, I have only ever wanted to be a nurse. I remember playing with medical kits and watching Casualty on TV and thinking that is what I want to do. For me, it is the caring element of the profession that drew me to it. It’s all I have ever wanted to do."
Rachel's journey into nursing opened her eyes to the incredibly diverse variety of roles, adding: "I didn’t realise until I left university how much there was to nursing. At first, I thought it was about medicine and bed baths, but there are so many types of roles and types of nursing out there."
Her career has seen her experience a number of different specialties, starting in acute medicine on a ward before moving into adult intensive care. "I even worked for a year on a cruise ship, which was definitely a career highlight and one of those things I never thought I would do through nursing. Looking after passengers and crew was incredibly challenging from a clinical perspective. I thought it would be a few insect bites and sun burns, but I was dealing with literally anything that you would see in during a busy A&E shift in the city.”
Around six years ago, Rachel joined NHS111 service as a Clinical Advisor. She told us: "As a clinician, it’s very different triaging over the telephone. There is a massive amount of variety that comes through the NHS111 service, and as a nurse, you need a broad understanding."
Seeking further challenges and opportunities for growth, Rachel applied for the role of Clinical Shift Lead at DHU and has been thriving in this position ever since. "As a shift leader, I have less direct patient contact, but I support patients by prioritising their safety within the queue. I also support health advisors and other clinicians with advice, serving as a source of support to help make the right clinical decisions for our patients."
Rachel's time at DHU has been marked by continuous learning and development. "Alongside others in the team, my knowledge and ability have progressed throughout my time at DHU. There are so many specialties within the NHS111 service that a person can choose from if they have a career here. From management to prescribing, there is something for everyone. I’ve done courses including mental health first aid, clinical supervision, and management training, all of which have been fantastic for my development within the nursing role."