My nurse hero is my mum…………………………
Mum wasn’t afford the chance to become a nurse, as the eldest daughter of a large family and on completion of school life work had to be the main focus, as was helping to raise her younger siblings.
She was a caring and supportive mum and all three of her daughters were supported to become registered nurses.
She loved to hear the stories of how we tried in our training to put the commode in the bedpan washer and how we ‘took charge of the nightingale wards’ she saw the nurse role through our eyes and enjoyed every minute of it with us including the highs and lows.
I can never thank my mum enough for giving me the support, strength and ability to become a nurse, now no longer with us I’m sure she’s watching over me, my nurse hero guardian angel mum.
Tracey Grint Care Quality Co-ordinator
My nurse hero is…
A nurse called Hettie Lambing. She was a nurse on my first ward. I remember watching her in a crisis with a patient and she remained calm, remained WITH the patient, held her hand all the time and truly cared.
She probably has no idea that she had this impact on me as this was just the way she nursed… I strive to be like her every day
Maria Kavanagh Clinical Nurse Specialist Gateway Team
My nurse hero is…
I have nominated my daughter because she juggles a very responsible nursing role, studying for a degree, looks after 3 very busy children, keeps fit, cooks wonderful cakes, is always smiling and very appreciative when I do her ironing! (of which there is a lot) Jenny Hull
My nurse hero is…
I chose Ike as an inspirational ward sister I learnt a huge amount from as a student nurse and then when newly qualified. She inspired great team work and valued everyone’s opinions. Every person was treated the same and always with great humour, essential in nursing!
Rachel Nichols | Gateway Clinical Nurse Specialist
My nurse hero is…
Barbara Chick was a Nurse at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. She had emigrated there aged 36 from the UK.
Fire wrecked the hospital 10th April 1984, Barbara stayed with her patients, ignoring orders to leave and sadly died.
I was a Student Nurse at the time, undertaking my training in Bristol. Barbara was from Bristol and I remember that her family and the city were extremely sad but proud of who she was and the ultimate sacrifice that she made.
Julie Taylor, Clinical Nurse Specialist
My nurse hero is…
Edith Cavell was a British Nurse who moved to Belgium in 1910 to improve the standard of nursing there, in 1914 when the First World War broke out Edith nursed British, French and Belgium soldiers.
She was arrested by the German Government and charged with treason even though she was a British citizen, for helping over 200 wounded soldiers escape. On 12th October 1915 she was executed by a German firing squad.
Edith is quoted as saying “there must be no hatred nor bitterness towards anyone” moments before her death.
A flower festival is held every year on 12th October in Norwich where she was born to commemorate her death.
Emma Brettell, Clinical Practice Facilitator
My nurse hero is…
My nurse hero is a nurse called Heather Mitchell. She is the lead for hospice at home at Sue Ryder so I worked very closely with her in a previous role. She would do anything for anyone. She will never ask her team to do something that she isn’t prepared to do herself. She absolutely goes above and beyond. She is a bundle of energy and fun. Being looked after by Heather means that you would get amazing care.
Emma Wright | Gateway Clinical Nurse Specialist
My nurse hero is…
When I was young, I spent many happy hours during school holidays with my special Nan. She was a wonderful lady, who had always wanted to be a nurse, but during her life circumstances dictated that she had to work extremely hard in other areas, which meant she was unable to pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse.
However, she encouraged and supported me with my love of tending to my ‘patients’ – dolls and teddies – we spent many hours bandaging, ‘operating’, bed making and administering medicines. She made up many stories about my ‘patients’, what had brought them to my ‘hospital’ and how they were made better. Her love of this type of work inspired me to follow my dreams of becoming a nurse and she was always interested in my student nurse days, and provided me with wise words of wisdom and support when I needed it. Now, 45 years later in my nursing career and approaching retirement, I remain forever grateful to my inspirational Nan. She was, and always will be, my Nurse Hero.
Val Wellings
My nurse hero is…
My nursing hero was one of my first mentors who supported me during one of my clinical placements whilst I was training as a Nurse. I admired her for her clinical skills and knowledge, compassionate caring nature, level headedness and enthusiasm. I wanted to aspire to be like her.
Claire Gijselhart, Day Services Manager
My nurse hero is…
I have been in nursing some 45 years- it has been an amazing journey. I have enjoyed working in various and challenging locations completing my nursing career at St Richard’s over the past 6 years.
I recall my first ward where I was very much a novice struggling with how to give an injection-practising with an orange and syringe. Over the years I have worked with many nurses who appeared to instinctively know how to care for very sick people.
Compassion, care and kindness being the essence of their care and it was something I wanted to learn to be both an efficient but caring nurse.
Taking time to talk with the patient finding out what matters to them is high priority for me as well as devoting time to ensure that holistic care is achieved whilst being a reflective practitioner, learning from every encounter.
There are several hero`s who have influenced me over the years; their energy, and professionalism but I think St Mother Teresa who worked long and hard on the streets of Calcutta is my main hero, where her love for mankind was evident in such a practical way. She was effectively called by God to serve in this way.
I can relate to that calling as I also felt called by God to become a nurse to serve people, in sharing our humanity and loving others when they are at their most vulnerable.
St Mother Teresa said:
Peace begins with a smile.
If you judge people you have no time to love them.
Spread love everywhere you go let no one ever come to you without leaving happier
These are valuable quotes which I try to adhere to at St Richard’s.
Wendy Broom.