Abigail Hutchings

As a nearly-Newly Qualified Mental Health Nurse, I wish to start my career within inpatient services.

Throughout my studies I demonstrated drive, passion and commitment as I worked tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure that I achieved my goals of qualifying as a Registered Mental Health Nurse.

I have been able to deliver person centered care, within fast-pace acute and intensive care environments and found that I never stopped learning. I had a keen interest in trauma informed care and least restrictive practice, and want to ensure that whatever clinical environment I find myself in, I am making sure that not only am I professionally developing these skills, but the wider team I find myself in adapt to these effective ways of treating patients. Learning and working throughout the Covid pandemic meant that I had to develop in pressurized environments.

I have past experience in male rehabilitation, female acute and PICU and a wide variety of community mental health services, as well as extensive knowledge and experience in a neurological rehabilitation ward. This wide mix of experience means that I have been able to nurse people from all walks of life, with many different physical and mental health conditions. I have found that I am able to be an active listener and professional, building therapeutic alliances in all placement experiences.

I have been able to work with both the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act and continue my profession curiosity and development on how these can be used in their least restrictive forms, ensuring the best outcomes for service users. I have been able to adapt my knowledge and professional working with a wider MDT. This has given me the ability to see active participation and understanding of how all professionals can be involved in patients long-term support plans, keeping them at the focus of their care.

This also means that I have been able to develop a good understanding of safeguarding and the escalation process to other professionals when I have concerns within my practice, as well as taking the professional opinions and concerns of others.

Safe and supportive practice is at the forefront of my professional working, and I am competent in my risk assessment skills and care planning abilities, ensuring that patients are at the forefront of their care.

This job opportunity would be an amazing start to my nursing career, and is within a team I believe I could not only learn and develop from, but make a real difference to service users recovery.