A YOUNG nurse from Blackbird Leys, who qualified during the coronavirus pandemic, has been praised for her 'compassion and tenacity'.

Charlotte Trinder-Jones began a student placement in Oxford in March, just as the outbreak was taking hold.

The 21-year-old is now a qualified community staff nurse within the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust district nursing team.

She said: “At first I was extremely nervous about joining the team at such a challenging time, but it was soon apparent how supportive the team were and I fitted in so well.

“As soon as I started I loved every minute of my time with the team, who have helped me grow in confidence and have full faith in me which was reassuring at a difficult time."

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She added: “Yes, it has been challenging and completely different to all previous placements as a student nurse, but it was a no-brainer for me to opt in and become a paid band four student nurse.

"I have learnt to adapt quickly to different situations and take them in my stride."

The nurse said she was inspired to join the profession due to personal experience with her grandmother.

She said: “I looked after my grandma when she was dying and met the district nurses who came every day and they were so lovely.

"I knew then that nursing was something that I wanted to do.

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“I worked so hard to get the grades I needed and, although I considered midwifery, I have found that adult nursing gives me such a wide range of knowledge and really is the thing for me.

“I see a wide range of people every day and the patients are so nice and so accepting of the care. It’s rewarding to be able to help people and know that what you are doing is appreciated.”

The trust's chief nurse Marie Crofts was full of praise for the newly qualified nurse, saying: “From student placement, to qualifying during Covid and joining the district nursing team has been quite a journey for Charlotte.

"I’d like to personally thank her for her hard work, care, compassion and tenacity and am delighted we have such an inspirational person joining us and championing nursing."

She added: “I hope her story will encourage other young women and men like her to take up the profession and make a difference.”

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Rebecca Carton, acting team leader for East Oxford District Nurses, also said the new nurse had stepped up to the challenge of Covid.

She said: “She initially joined East Oxford team here in the city as a management placement student.

"She quickly stepped up to the mark becoming a paid student during the Covid-19 first wave and then stayed on with us and is already absolutely flying.”

Ms Trinder-Jones encouraged more people to consider becoming a nurse, and said: “Nursing is a career not just an ordinary job. It will be tough to train and qualify and you must have confidence in yourself.

“When you get going you will find it really is a rewarding career if you work hard and manage your time you will get so much out of it.”

Visit careers.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/vacancies/.