Resuscitation Training Officer, Juliet Hendrick, is retiring this coming Thursday after 41 years in the NHS. She will be in the Learning Centre at CRH Thursday afternoon if anyone would like to say their farewells.

Juliet began her nursing career as a student nurse in 1984 aged 18 and has shared her journey with us:

"During my student years, I spent time on most specialities at both the Halifax General and the Royal Infirmary, working very much as part of the ward team, undertaking various assessments of skills and aspects of care as well as being terrified of most ward sisters and nursing officers as they were then called – Matron equivalent these days. These were such rewarding times and a steep learning curve at our young ages, but we had the opportunity to really get to know our patients and form special relationships. We had great fun as well and were often the staff sent out for “Long Stands” or “Fallopian Tubes” before we realised we were on the receiving end of a prank!

"We had our A&E placement in our third year and it is fair to say I disliked it. My experience was that most staff weren't keen on having students around and it was difficult to fit in. I think my experience here influenced my approach to students when I qualified, aiming to involve them as much as possible and support their learning. When I qualified, permanent jobs were scarce and many of us were only offered temporary contracts. I obtained a Staff Nurse post on Rawson ward which at the time was a female medical ward and at the helm was a rather renowned sister who was strict but fair and I really enjoyed my time there and learned so much.

"I transferred to A&E to cover for sickness and I was apprehensive at first. However, after a few months in this role I found myself really enjoying the diversity of patients and the satisfaction of seeing people swiftly treated and leaving contently and gratefully – most of the time! I had found my niche and relished all the challenges A&E brought. 

"In 1991 I was able to undertake a course specifically for emergency nurses. As part of my studies for this course I had an article published in the Emergency Nurse Journal and we visited all kinds of settings where emergencies would pose a greater challenge than in a hospital setting. This included a nuclear power station, Manchester Airport, ambulance paramedics, motorway police and the Prince Of Wales Colliery in Pontefract where we rode the belt on top of the coal – little health and safety assessments back then! I also had the privilege to observe cardiac surgery and visit the burns and Spinal Injury Units in Pinderfields hospital.

"Having been a senior staff nurse for a few years I gained a junior sister post in 1995. The new hospital plans were underway in the late 1990s and as we headed to the new millennium we had the excitement of a purpose built ED to look forward to. I remember walking around the site which felt huge at the time and is now scheduled for further expansion. I secured a senior sister post in 2001 and spent the next decade working within a wonderfully dedicated and hard working team.

"I undertook the first Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Nurse Prescribers Course at Huddersfield University and became an Advanced Life Support instructor. I have always been keen to support the education of others and became a clinical educator for staff. I then trained as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, a role under development in our department at the time, but now a well-established service. I undertook an honours level course in the management of minor injuries, and then a Masters degree in Health Professional Education. I was able to present my dissertation results relating to the accuracy of ENP X-ray interpretation as a poster presentation at the 1st Global Conference on Emergency Nursing and Trauma care in Dublin in 2014.

"In 2017 I made the change from ED to Resuscitation Officer and have been able to continue my love of education alongside clinical support for staff in relation to resuscitation. Last year saw another milestone for our hospital with the opening of the new learning centre and we have a facility now which is purpose built and fit for the delivery of training. Whilst there have been many challenges and difficult periods in my career I can reflect on the far greater joys of working with fantastic staff. Meeting and caring for so many patients and families will always remain a great honour."

Congratulations on such a remarkable career, Juliet. Wishing you all the best in your retirement.