40 years in the NHS: making a difference in learning disability with Jane Ralphs | Talking #TeamCWPT blog

As some of #TeamCWPT celebrate over 40 years in NHS, read about how they are all united in a common purpose: supporting the most vulnerable in society to have the opportunity to live the best life possible in this 3-part blog series.

In this final blog, hear how Jane has learnt about herself and others during her 41 years in the NHS.

Jane has worked in the NHS for 41 years and can still clearly remember moving into the nurse's home at the hospital where she was training and wondering what life as a learning disability nurse would look like.

Now, looking back over 41 years of NHS work, she can't believe how quickly time has flown by.

After qualifying as a learning disability nurse in 1987, Jane worked in inpatient settings for several years and truly loved the work and the relationships she built up with the people she was caring for. The work was challenging at times but being able to make a difference to the most vulnerable in society was very rewarding.

It was during this time working with inpatients that Jane completed her RMN conversion in Wolverhampton. That progression in her career enabled her to be part of the set up of a children's service for children with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.

Jane's experience working with children led her to apply for a job in children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in South Warwickshire in 2000. Sadly, that was unsuccessful. Instead, Jane was successful in securing a training post with Birmingham Children's Hospital. As a result, she completed a degree and ENB 603 which specialised in working in CAMHS.

At that point, another role came up in South Warwickshire CAMHS. Jane reapplied and was successful. It was certainly worth the wait!

Jane joined CWPT in 2001 as a nurse therapist and has stayed with the Trust since that time. She was the senior nurse in the south of the region, and then moved to the lead nurse role, which she remained in until 2020.

After retiring and returning 4 years ago, Jane has been incredibly proud to be part of setting up the Think Family Outreach Team and the Intervention Pathway Hub.

I can truly say I have loved my 41 years in the NHS. There have been tears, tantrums, stress, worries, feeling overwhelmed and sometimes even feeling like a fraud, but what a career. I have met amazing and inspirational people both clinically and as colleagues and it has been a real privilege. I have learnt, and continue to learn, so much about myself and others.