Hezzel

Hezzel has had a number of roles at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) before working in the psychosis pathway at Palmers  Community Hospital in Jarrow.

As a community practitioner, it is Hezzel’s job to assess patients, manage risks and offer treatment. She sees patients who are in emotional distress, validating their thoughts and feelings and helping them to rationalise those feelings. She also signposts patients to appropriate services.

Hezzel’s job involves supporting patients’ transition from an inpatient unit back into the community. Her working week can consist of care coordination which involves liaising with wards, third party organisations and multi-disciplinary meetings to discuss complex patients.

In her 12 years in the Trust, Hezzel has worked on rehabilitation wards and older adult teams, where she found the ways of working and recovery very different, before working in the community. She has also recently qualified as a non-medical prescriber, meaning she is able to prescribe any medicines within her area of expertise.
For Hezzel, no two days are the same in her job. “There are some days you feel like you’re spending your time firefighting but it’s such a rewarding job.

“Getting a thank you from someone gives a great sense of achievement. The challenge is definitely worth it.”
Hezzel says she would encourage anyone to go into nursing.

“Nursing is a lifetime career. There are so many opportunities for career progression and specialising in different areas.”

“Most people who go into nursing are caring in nature. You need to be able to listen, understand what people are going through and work collaboratively on how best to support them.”

CNTW is a leading provider of mental health and disability services.