Jackie Murphy is our new interim Chief Nurse following the departure of Brendan Brown to Airedale as CEO. She officially started in her role this Monday and here is the latest in our Hello My Name Is... featuring her 80-year-old Mum, her love of fairweather festival-going and her pride in the NHS.
Background
Hello My Name Is..... Jackie Murphy and I have been a nurse for 35 years working in clinical, managerial and leadership roles. I’ve worked at CHFT for 10 years as Associate Nurse Director in medicine, surgery and corporate divisions and as Deputy Chief Nurse with the last couple of years spent working on modernisation, which seems to also qualify me as an IT manager!! I am married and have three grown up children.
What is your position?
As of 4 June I am interim Chief Nurse
Summarise your career background
I worked clinically for 20 years, 10 of those a Ward Sister, 5 years as a Matron in both medicine and corporate roles and have spent the last ten years in nursing leadership roles at CHFT.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
I have had an amazing career working alongside fantastic colleagues. I will always cherish my time delivering care at the bedside, but equally I am proud of being able to influence the nursing profession, improve care and experience and develop others.
Sum up your role in three words
Leadership, Influence, Compassion
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
All I knew was I wanted to work in role that included interacting with people and was diverse, challenging and different everyday…… ambition accomplished
Who is your hero/heroine and why?
My mum, she sacrificed her education to care for her grandmother and then came to England alone from Ireland when she was 16 in order to send money home to her family to support them. She has worked hard all her life only retiring when was 80. She’s sharp, sassy and a giant of woman even now despite being less than 5 foot tall!!
When you are not at work how do you relax?
Music, fair weather festival goer, also going to gigs usually smaller ones rather than bigger ones. I enjoy going to the theatre. I have recently started a boot camp which bizarrely I rather enjoy.
What is your favourite place?
The west of Ireland
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I sang in a Vegas show
Twitter/Facebook?
Both, more as viewer than someone who posts
The NHS is 70 on the 5th July. How does that make you feel?
The NHS makes me feel immensely proud and grateful; it has given me the best career and an opportunity for development having been supported to complete a degree and masters. I met my husband when we worked together along with some of my best friends and inspirational colleagues. It has also supported me and my family from cradle (the births of my three children) to grave (dignified death for my dad and aunts) and everything in-between. Now, more than ever, I believe we need to support true transformation to make it sustainable.