Hi Natalie, winner of the Queen Silvia Nursing Award 2024, Nursing category!
How does it feel to be awarded the Queen Silvia Nursing Award 2024? Please tell us about your first thoughts and feelings when you received the news?
I could hardly believe it was true and was overcome with emotion, resulting in tears of joy. It took time to digest that it was actually me who won! It's great to be rewarded for your work. It feels like the greatest thing that can happen to a nurse.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Tyresö with my husband and our three children – two boys and a girl. I was born, raised and work in the same municipality! I would describe myself as a social person who enjoys spending time with people, but also appreciates quiet moments. My colleagues would probably describe me as a happy, positive and responsible person.
How long have you worked as a nurse?
I started studying in the fall of 2020 and became a registered nurse in the spring of 2022. So just over two and a half years. But I have worked as a care assistant since 2006 in the same business, at the municipal home service in Tyresö municipality throughout my working life.
What made you choose to work in healthcare, and specifically with the elderly?
I started working in healthcare when I was 19 years old. It was supposed to be a summer and I would then apply for something else. But I discovered quite quickly how much I enjoyed the work. I felt that I could contribute to the well-being of several people and give them a safe and meaningful everyday life. It also felt meaningful to me!
The elders never judged me because of my young age. They encouraged me with words of wisdom and were so grateful for the work I was doing. I have always liked being able to take part in the individual's life experience which they so often share. I noticed how much I could learn just by sitting and listening. Incredibly rewarding!
So, one summer became several summers and I got permanent employment after a couple of years. I don't regret a day that I chose to work in healthcare.
I have experienced both personal and professional development. By meeting different people and challenges, I have grown as a person and gained new knowledge and skills in my profession.
Can you tell us how you came to be assigned this innovative role as a nurse?
I saw an ad for a project position as a digital nurse. A project would be started where a health-promoting platform would be developed for our senior citizens.
I became interested in the opportunity to develop within my professional role as a nurse. I had to go to an interview and tell them why I applied for the position, as well as what I thought I could contribute to the role and the project. After a week or so, I was informed that I had received the project position, which has now turned into a permanent position. I started project employment in February 2024.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
I start the morning at 07:00 by writing good morning to all 50 users and follow up on the dialogues we had earlier. It can be anything from how a doctor's appointment went to someone sharing a picture of the food they cooked. Someone might want a video call, a social moment, so we book a time during the day. There we have a nice social moment.
I update the information in the platform continuously, with relevant information about what is happening in the municipality. For example, where to pick up ice grips now that it has turned cold or if any enjoyable activities are being organized by the municipality or external parties.
I also put reminders on each individual user, if necessary. For example, when you have a visit from Home Services (shower, cleaning, walk) or a physical activity. Then the user can tick off that activity when it is finished, I then see this in the platform and can follow up and encourage further.
When new people are added who will receive the platform, I always start with a home visit and go through the technology. But above all, I make sure that we get to know each other a little, it will then be so much easier to continue to be heard digitally.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your work, and how do you deal with them?
The biggest challenge has been to get the elderly to come up with suggestions about what they want or lack in the platform, it is after all for them. It's something I'm working on a lot right now, collecting the needs of the citizens.
You have to be patient and responsive. By motivating and showing the advantages of the digital platform, several feel encouraged to make suggestions.
What do you think are the biggest advantages and challenges of digital care/welfare technology in healthcare?
The biggest advantages are that there is a high degree of continuity, after all I am the one who has contact with the elderly. It makes it more personal. Getting our elderly to become more digitized and reduce digital exclusion. The accompanying challenges are (which we have all been affected by) technical problems, for example poor connectivity.
Lack of access to smart devices or technical resources can be a challenge, but the municipality has a welfare library where people over 65 can borrow technology free of charge, to which I refer people who want to test but do not have their own smartphone.
How do you ensure a personal and caring contact despite the digital distance?
It is important to build trust by showing that you are there and showing an understanding of the digital world. Of course, we all have different conditions.
As a nurse, it is important to show compassion, patience and empathy, which I think I have managed to preserve despite the digital world.
I have also received very nice positive feedback from those who use the platform today. Many feel that this contact route has made their everyday life easier, for example by not having to sit in a telephone queue for the home care service, here they get quick feedback!
Can you tell us about an occasion when your digital follow-up made a real difference to someone?
I once had a dialogue with several of the men who tested the platform, they lacked a forum for men in Tyresö municipality. They wanted an activity that wasn't, for example, a knitting café or singing session. Then I went out with a request to several of the men who use the platform or have home care if they wanted to meet, have lunch and compete in a music quiz. The meeting was very successful and this "men's club" has now met 3 times and done various activities. Then I really felt like I made a difference, they were so grateful and had so much fun!
How do you see the development of digital healthcare/welfare technology in the next five years?
I believe we need to find digital solutions to help everyone aging in our society. Fewer will help more and I believe that digital care/welfare technology is part of the solution.
Yes, I believe above all that the preventive work with the help of digital care/welfare technology will be extremely important in the future.
What are your expectations for the year as a QSNA winner?
I think it will be an exciting year with opportunities to develop and network. I also look forward to spreading our work in the municipality to others and hope to inspire more people to dare.
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