A career of skill and compassion: nursing is ‘the best job ever’ for Anwen

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis is terrible for everyone because it has a big impact, but people deal with it very differently,” she says. “As a nurse I am part of their journey and even if the outcome is not good, hopefully I can still make a difference, both to the patient and for their family.”

Anwen uses her expertise to support patients in rural West Wales through their cancer pathway—from diagnosis to treatment, whether that’s surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. She is proud to deliver compassionate, holistic care.

“Everyone must be treated and respected as an individual,” she adds. “Just because something may be right for one person, it doesn't mean it's right for another.

“Often the most important aspect of nursing is being the patient’s voice because they are at such a vulnerable time in their life and don’t always have the energy to kind of speak up for what they want.

 “If I can make things as kind of comfortable and easy as possible as well, when people are unwell, I’m happy to be part of that journey.”

Her role isn’t without its challenges. “Sometimes it does get to you” she admits. “We try to support patients and their families so they’re able to look after them at home, whatever the prognosis is.”

Looking back on three decades since she received her pin, Anwen reflects:

“I had no aspirations of climbing the career ladder, but that changed. I ended up being ward manager for about ten years and then I got the opportunity to go into cancer nursing specifically… for me, this is the best job ever.”

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