Jess Appleby is a Senior Children’s Nurse on the Caroline Thorpe Children’s Ward at North Devon District Hospital. Here, Jess describes what it’s like working a night shift at the hospital on Christmas Eve. There’s something special about working a night shift on Christmas Eve.
This is Jess’ story…
“It’s never easy — no one wants to be in hospital at this time of year — but there’s a quiet kind of magic in it. The ward glows a little warmer, small acts of kindness feel a little bigger, and every smile from a child or parent means the world.
“As a children’s nurse, I’ve worked quite a few Christmas Eve night shifts in the hospital. It’s never easy missing out on moments at home, but there’s something special about those nights. We might be away from our families, but we create special moments here, too.
“One Christmas Eve stands out more than any other. Before I left for work, I remember my two children setting out a mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer. They were so excited! I kissed them goodnight and promised I’d try to be home in time to open the presents.
“When I got to the ward, that same excitement was there. The festive scrubs were on – bright colours, reindeer prints, plenty of sparkle – and everyone was in good spirits. Someone was humming a carol, and Father Christmas, with a little help from the registrar on shift that night, quietly left gifts for the children at the end of their beds.
“That year, a little girl who’d been with us for months was finally well enough to spend Christmas morning at home. While she was at home, we wrapped her hospital bed in paper and ribbons so she’d have something magical to come back to. Later, she sent us a card saying it was one of her favourite Christmas memories. It reminded me how something small can mean so much.
Even on the hardest nights, we make sure no one misses out on the magic of Christmas.
– Jess, Children’s Nurse
“Being away from home isn’t easy – for patients or staff – but walking the ward that night, surrounded by laughter and kindness, I thought: ‘this is why I do it’.
“By the time I got home, the house had woken up. The moment I opened the door, my children came running down the stairs shouting “Merry Christmas, Mummy!” They’d managed to wait to open their presents – just about!
Show some love for your NHS this Christmas
There will be thousands of nurses and NHS staff like Jess working over Christmas to care for patients. Please help them to give them the kind of hospital care that goes beyond what’s possible with NHS funding – this Christmas and throughout the year.
Your gift – no matter the size – will help fund the small things that make the biggest difference: a present for a child, a quiet space for staff to rest, or the comforting touches that make the wards feel a little more like home.
