Why work in a care home?

For me, the best part of working in a care home is the time I get to spend with residents. I have the chance to get to know them. 

Some people think working in a care home is easy. It’s “just personal care,” they say. Yes, it is about that. But it’s so much more. It’s a hard job that carries a lot of responsibility. There are so many policies and procedures to consider, but it’s right they exist because you’re working with other human beings, and they’re the most important part of my role. 

I’ve been working with my employer, Hafod, since 2013. I started out working in mental health in Gwynfa care home in Cardiff. I absolutely loved it there and actually cried when I left. But it was clear that I needed to work in a bigger home to progress my career.  

I’ve been fortunate to have been continuously encouraged to develop my career and I now work as a senior nursing care assistant at Ty Penrhos care home. I’ve completed several courses including the nursing care assistant role qualification at the University of South Wales and the Certificate in Leadership and Management level 4. 

My employer is now supporting me through my studies to become a registered nurse. It’s a four-year course and when I graduate, I have to continue working with them for two further years. But I want to keep working here. This is the place for me, and I hope one day to work as a care home deputy manager or manager.  

Caring for people gives me immense job satisfaction

All the courses have required hard work and dedication. I’m from Malta so my first language isn’t English, and I did find some of the questions tricky. I had a supportive tutor who broke the questions down with me and I demonstrated I knew exactly what they were looking for.  

Fitting in studying, placements and working life alongside your own personal commitments is tough too, there’s no doubt about that. I don’t actually have to attend the workplace while I’m on placement, and I’m given a study day each week.

However, I don’t like to be away from work for too long because things change so often. Continuity is important in a care home, so I do work additional shifts. 

If you’ve never considered a role in a care home and you think it might be for you, I’d encourage you to find out more. Caring for people gives me immense job satisfaction. There’s no better feeling than knowing that families trust you with their loved ones.