For 2019 we've a new feature celebrating the best of working at CHFT - and that includes our mates.
As well as working together caring for our patients, we form enduring relationships with people who become so important to us, they're part of our lives outside work as well.
To start, we've a cracker going back 33 years, featuring our Lead Nurse, Medicines Management, Karen Austin (circled left) and Lead Infection Control Nurse Jean Robinson (right). Here they tell us how they met and what's so special about each other. There were a few "awws" in the comms office when we read what they wrote. More photos below.
When did you first meet and where?
K:We met on September 8th 1986 on the first day of our RGN training at Calderdale School of Nursing. Twenty two excited student Nurses were sat in in alphabetical order in itchy new check uniforms! I’m pleased to say that Jean and I hit it off straight away.
J:At Calderdale school of Nursing on September 8th 1986 on the first day of our RGN training. Nervous and excited student Nurses, sat in semi-circle starting on what would become our shared passion that is Nursing and Caring. Karen and I hit it off straight away.
What struck you first about them?
K:Jean’s smile as her face light sup when she smile, followed by her bubbly character and genuine friendliness.
J:Karen’s warm, bubbly and friendly personality, she immediately makes anyone feel at ease.
Why do you get on so well?
K:We’re a similar age (21 of course!), we definitely share a similar sense of humour and have similar tastes - we’re passionate about quality gin and champagne! Early summer 2018 saw us meet up throughout our respective three week California and Nevada road trips. In late summer we enjoyed a week in the Spanish sunshine to re-charge our batteries before the winter. We enjoyed Christmas dinner together and we also saw the New Year in together during a long weekend in Durham and Darlington. We’ve a week away booked to celebrate my husband’s big birthday in May but the location’s a secret! Luckily our husbands also get on ‘like a house on fire’ which is a good job!
J:We were both in our very early 20s when we started our training and also both married at the time. We have the same sense of humour and morals which is key to any good friendship. We also share similar taste in the finer things in life…. Gin & Fizz to name but two J. We have shared many weekends and road-trips away over the years including a very special one to California last summer where my Daughter Emma came to join us from Australia. We’ve been there for each other through the thick and thin and Celebrated many milestones together.
Is there a standout moment when they were there for you?
K:We’ve both gone through a period of turbulence in our private lives and we could count on each other 24/7. Also, when I fractured my foot last year, Jean was the first person to offer assistance.
J:You only realise who your true friends are when you go through traumatic times in your life – Karen has always been there for me through good times and bad, always supportive and always manages to make me smile.
Name their three best qualities.
K: It’s really hard to whittle it down to three but,
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Determination
J:
- Compassion & caring
- Honest & genuine
- Sense of humour
How do they impress you at work?
K:The saying ‘like a dog with a bone’ rings a bell. Jean, is passionate about nursing and Infection Prevention and Control and if she highlights a concern/safety issue within these areas or indeed any area of practice she’ll address it no matter what it is.
J:Karen is still as passionate now about Nursing and getting it right for our patients as she has been throughout her career. She always has time for people no matter how hectic things are, which is a great quality.
Fancy getting involved?
We're looking for more Great Mates who met and still work at CHFT. Just drop us a line at chft@cht.nhs.uk, or call us on HRI 5256 and we'll start the ball rolling.