CASE STUDY: ROSEMARY STEPHENSON

Jul 4 2008 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

DIRECTOR of Nursing Rosemary Stephenson started work as a 16-year-old cadet nurse at Shotley Bridge Hospital and although the regime was very strict she says she loved every minute of it.

Patients spent much longer in hospital at that time after their operations compared to now when they return home within a few days.

She said: “This meant the wards were full but not as busy so you got to know your patients really well. You have to remember there were no hoists or equipment to help move patients, it was hard work but we loved it.”

Rosemary remembers well the matron’s rounds and the high expectations she had from her nursing teams. “You had to be well prepared and staff nurses had to know every patient and what they were in for,” she said.

“We were given so much responsibility at such a young age it was just unbelievable and it certainly wouldn’t happen now.

“We came into nursing because it was a vocation and we cared, now nurses can progress up the career ladder in a well paid job and the hours and conditions are so much better.”