Nursing shatters stereotypes
I’ve always been proud to call myself a ‘Barts’ nurse but this feeling has never been stronger than during these past 12 extraordinary months when our profession has been pushed to its limits.
The pandemic has tested nursing in ways we could not have imagined. During wave one our nurses responded magnificently as, almost overnight, we multiplied our critical care capacity for patients with a new respiratory infection. In wave two, hundreds of nurses were redeployed, taking on the challenge of a new role in a new environment with bravery, professionalism and skill.
Now that all our redeployed staff have returned and with Nurses’ Day just around the corner, we can begin to look to the future, one in which nursing continues to adapt, innovate and do amazing things that keep on shattering stereotypes for what our profession can achieve.
It’s truly a privilege to be the Director of Nursing at St Bartholomew’s, a hospital I’ve been a part of almost all my working life. I’m humbled when I see colleagues from across our cancer and heart centres delivering world class compassionate care every single day.
Thank you for all you do and have a very Happy Nurses’ Day!
Angela Robinson is the director of nursing at St Bartholomew's Hospital.