Nursem is a skincare brand that supports UK midwives and nurses. We caught up with company co-founder Antonia on the company, nursing and motherhood.
The Nursem Promise means that for every product purchased, Nursem give a month’s supply of Nursem to a nurse or midwife. How did this promise come about?
Nursem really got going after I suffered with terrible contact dermatitis from the amount of hand washing I was doing in my work as a Paediatric Nurse. This was so bad that I actually ended up taking time off. We knew that my case was not unique and after further research discovered that 87% of Nurses suffer with contact dermatitis during their career costing the NHS approximately £9 million a year. After discovering this, we wanted to give back to the healthcare community, and make every shift that bit better. So for every product purchased we promise to provide a nurse, midwife or other healthcare professional with a month's free supply of our caring hand cream.
Tell us more about the Promise Pack.
We've developed a specialist 'Promise Pack' which includes enough caring hand cream for up to 24 nursing staff, with our original formula as well as a non-fragranced formula for ultra-sensitive hands. There's also other goodies in there like pens, lanyards and a card thanking the teams for the incredible work they do every day. These packs are delivered directly to wards and healthcare centres up and down the country.
What are the biggest challenges of being a nurse in the 21st century?
Being a nurse is one of the most rewarding jobs that you could possibly do but like all jobs it has it’s challenges. Long shifts and unsociable hours for example.
How do you think we can attract more young people to nursing or midwifery to alleviate future staffing problems?
It would be great if NHS bursaries were brought back. This would allow those who would like to go to university to train as a nurse to not be held back from a financial point of view.
Where have your Nursem products been donated to and do you have plans to expand this in the future?
We've donated our caring hand cream to over 20,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals up and down the country. From hospitals in Jersey right up to Inverness, Newcastle to Omagh, we've probably helped a hospital within 20 miles of most people in the UK.
As a mum, how have you found balancing your expanding business and caring for your children?
I have a 2.5 year old and a 5 month old so life is pretty busy. I’m currently on maternity leave which gives me a bit more time but the days are long and can be tough sometimes. My husband has always done the day to day running of Nursem which has allowed me to continue with my nursing career/ being a mum.
Midwives play such an important role in our early bonding with babies and it seems all mums remember the name of their midwife! What memories of your midwives will you treasure when looking back at the birth of your children?
They absolutely do play such an important role. My first midwife had the most fabulous lipstick and was just so lovely to talk to! I think the tea and toast after pushing a baby out tasted like the best thing I had ever drank / eaten.
What are your personal and business aims for 2020?
Business- To continue to help as many healthcare staff as possible through the Nursem Promise and to bring out more products to our range.
Personal- keep developing as a mother and as a nurse. Try and spend quality and memorable time with my family.
What are your must have toiletries for new mums and babies?
Metanium nappy cream is a lifesaver, as is our hand cream for the constant hand washing - they’re both changing bag essentials!
Where can our readers purchase your products?
We're on sale in Boots right now and also on our website nursem.co.uk
As you know, this blog is called Alt Mummy. What would be your one ‘alternative’ bit of advice to any new mum?
Baby poo stains!! Wash them as normal and then hang the stained clothing out in the sun. The sun bleaches the stain away. Saves having to chuck out favourites!
Alt Mummy readers can use the exclusive code ALTMUMMY to save 25% off up to the 31st December 2019 on the website www.nursem.co.uk