From the stage to the care home: Richard’s journey into nursing

Richard Stevenson was set on a career in performing arts when his part time job in the kitchen at a care home made him re-think his path.

 “I saw the nursing staff working and realised I didn’t want to go back into the kitchen again,” he said, “I just fell in love with the job.” 

While training as a nursing associate, Richard was named Care Practitioner of the Year for his work during the pandemic, something he is immensely proud of. Now working in the dementia unit at a nursing home, his passion for care has only grown. 

“I’ve always loved the satisfaction I got from helping people,” Richard said. “Knowing that you've made a difference is everything.”

For Richard, great care is personal and grounded in compassion and he believes building strong relationships with families helps improve care. 
 

“My role is to try to understand the pain, the hurt, the frustration and the confusion,” he said. “It’s the little things that make the biggest differences and it’s an honour for me to be helping people. I enjoy working with mental health teams to support residents with different coping techniques.” 

International Nurses Day celebrates the skill and expertise of nursing professionals around the world. Reflecting on the day, Richard said:

“It isn’t just about recognition, it’s about being thought of and respected for all we do.” 

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