The Hardworking Hands series by KOBA skincare celebrates hardworking women and men who fuel our community. 

While for most of us we experience dry, cracked skin in the colder months. For nurses and midwives, sore, uncomfortable and even cracked skin on their hands can be a problem all year round because of constant washing throughout the day and exposure to soaps, chemicals and more.

As a small gesture we wanted to give a little respite to a few hardworking nurses and midwives. To show our appreciation and gratitude for their hard work, we sent our lovely nurses and midwives a treat to care for the skin on their hands.

It’s a well-established fact that frequent hand washing, and good hygiene go hand in hand to prevent the spread of diseases, therefore cutting down on hand washing is not a solution. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect your hands. Read our complete guide on how to care for the skin on your hands. 

This International Nurses Day KOBA recognises the dedication Nurses and Midwives put into caring for others every single day. We spoke to a few ladies about why they went into healthcare, the most rewarding parts about what they do and how they practice self-care.

Meet Our Inspiring Nurses and Midwives

What made you choose a career in Nursing/Midwifery?

Meenal: I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare because as cliche as it sounds, I wanted to look after people, save lives and really make a difference! After working with a medical charity in Sierra Leone at 19 years old, I came back to do my BSc in Adult Nursing and then further training to qualify as a midwife. I've been a nurse for 10 years and a midwife for 7 years now.

Charlotte: After initially thinking of studying medicine, I decided I wanted to do something that felt more positive (with less bad news/poorly patients). My friend, who is also now a midwife, suggested midwifery and it felt right as soon as she said it. I did work experience at a local maternity hospital and my heart was set. There was no looking back! 9 years later and it still feels like it’s more than just a job/career, midwifery is a calling.

Olivia: My mum and both her sisters are nurses and one went into midwifery, so it is in the family. I have always loved babies and knew I wanted to work in healthcare having grown up being obsessed with Greys Anatomy/Scrubs etc. After completing a degree in Psychology, I took a year out and then returned to university to do my midwifery degree at Kings College London in 2013. have been practising ever since.

Hattie: I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a child. My mum is a nurse and I used to go to work with her dressed in my little nurse’s uniform and I absolutely loved it! I went straight to university after school and did adult nursing. I really enjoyed working with people in general hospital who also had mental health issues and so after I qualified as a general nurse I went back to university to become a mental health nurse as well. 

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Meenal: It's an incredible honour to be part of a delivery and to help bring babies into the world. Being able to empower women, and provide them with reassurance, support and compassion throughout their pregnancy, birth and in the postnatal period is the most rewarding part of the job. 

Charlotte: I am a vulnerable women’s/birthing persons’ specialist, so I look after those with social complexities including mental health concerns (e.g. anxiety, OCD, PTSD, birth trauma) domestic abuse survivors, substance/alcohol misuse, asylum seekers, social care leavers, homelessness, bereavement and pregnancy after loss of a baby/child. 

I care for pregnant people who have been through the worst things life can throw at them and provide continuity of care to support them and ensure they feel safe and secure with their maternity care. I love being able to validate their feelings, provide a listening ear and shoulder the cry on. It is so important to empower them to accept help and support them in improving their lives prior to welcoming their baby.

Watching my patients smile and seeing their shoulders relax and become less tense as they realise they are not alone and things will get better, is the most rewarding part of my role. I also find it super rewarding when my patients return to my care and ask for me to be their midwife again, to know that they still trust me years later is so valuable and something I never take for granted.

Olivia: I love that every day is different, you’re always meeting new people and hearing their stories. You are with families on one of the most important days of their lives when they birth their child, it is such a special privilege.

Hattie: The most rewarding part of what I do is getting to work with people who have a diagnosis of dementia and being able to help and support their families as well.

What does self-care mean to you and how do you practice it?

Meenal: It's hard I think to stop and think about yourself, especially with worrying about work, kids and bills! For me, self-care is the little things; having a warm bath, practicing yoga or having a hot cup of tea (and a cheeky biscuit!) 

Charlotte: Self-care to me is physical and emotional tasks that reconnect me to my brain and my body and “refill my cup.” It can be fresh bed sheets, gardening, having a bubble bath, an early night or a lie in, watching a cheesy film, doing my nails (and moisturising!!), washing my curls, yin yoga, therapy, going for a walk, baking, cuddles with my cats, reading, listening to an audiobook, dancing around to 90s tunes. I am getting much better and recognising when I need to practice self-care, and I actively encourage my patients, family, and friends to do the same. 

Olivia: Being a working mother of 3 it is hard to find time for self-care, so I cherish the little things. A nice hot bath at the weekend, luxury hand cream (my hands are so dry from constant washing at work and 3 young kids) and getting my nails done during annual leave all help me feel a little more human! 

Hattie: Self-care to me is making sure that I look after both my physical and mental health. That can be going to the gym, meditation, or healthy eating. The hand cream has been amazing as I go through so much because constant hand washing makes your hands so dry!

We want to wish all the amazing nurses and midwives in our community and around the world a very Happy International Nurses Day! Today is your day, so remember to take some time out to care for yourselves and your hardworking hands. A huge thank you to Meenal, Charlotte, Olivia and Hattie for taking the time to share your stories with us.