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204
Chapter 5 Findings
here (laughs)….said ‘oh, Jesus’ when I heard when I was put down
here I thought I was put down here for punishment, I didn’t think
I’d like it at all, but I do like it, but I do find it heavy going though,
but I do like it so there is that like, and then you’d have the ‘oh, my
God you’re doing geriatric nursing’.”
(S07)
Family participants and staff participants expressed the need for staff working
with older people to have the right skills for the job:
“There wasn’t one person that I didn’t think wasn’t up to the mark,
they’re all excellent. The reason why I’m saying that is because
they’re a cut above nursing care in other places because I saw that it
was the patient they cared about and it was obvious they were good
at the job, they’re human beings, they’re likeable, decent human
beings. They knew what was needed. It’s nursing care at its best.”
(F01) (Barthel 8)
“Well I think that they maybe if they have the course done and
people come down and spend some time with them then maybe.”
(S07)
As well as the right skills the participants recognised that the right personality
was also required for people to work in residential care:
“The courtesy of the nurses.”
(F01) (Barthel 8)
“I would say the staff there are very, very hard working and very,
very professional and I wouldn’t like to ever end up in the situation
but if I had to they’re very nice people to be looking after you.”
(F04) (Barthel 2)
“I love to see younger staff nurses because they add a bit of life into
the place and they have more go……. they’d need people that are
very driven you know.”
(H01)
“Be lively and have a laugh.”
(S04)
There was consensus in this sub-theme that one’s personality is critical to
motivating one to work with older people. A strong interest in older people was