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Bridging the gap
Elsie Anderson, (nee Young)
During my married life, when the children were very small, I had often dreamed of the day when I could return to nursing, but when my husband died early last year this dream suddenly became a reality. Seventeen years after qualifying and with two children to educate, my one thought was how to cope with nursing and a family, especially during the long school holidays.
At this time my local hospital was advertising for part-time staff, but at an interview with the Matron she made it quite clear that unless I could work the very rigid hours stipulated, including evening and weekend duties, my services were not required.
I secretly dreaded taking a post as Staff Nurse in a Nurse Training School, as I was afraid the Student Nurses would be more au fait with modern treatments than I was. Then I remembered Matron telling us one League Day that she would always be pleased to arrange a refresher course for anyone that wanted one, so I wrote to her and was called for an interview. What a wonderful reception I was given-it was like returning home!
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As I live quite near Banstead Annexe, it was arranged that I should go there for two weeks observation, followed by a spell in the Classroom at The London until I felt confident and up to date again.
One February morning, almost twenty years to the day since starting my training, I entered the doors of Banstead Annexe. Anyone who has returned to nursing after a long absence will know the terrible apprehension one feels at that moment, but I need not have worried for here again the characteristic "London" welcome was apparent, and after a few hours back in familiar surroundings, my flagging confidence began to revive.
The first thing I looked for was change. Disposable equipment was the most evident. Enemas, catheters, tubing, and hypodermic needles-all the things we were used to cleaning and sterilizing after use are now neatly disposed of. No cotton masks soaking in Dettol to await the night nurses' attention, and wonder of wonders - no sputum pots to empty!
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It was the drugs that terrified and bewildered me, and so many checking rounds. The only familiar faces were Digitalis and Phenobarbitone, and they were in metric system dosages. However, with plenty of hard work and the aid of a modern pharmacopoeia, I gradually made friends with the queer sounding preparations and became aware of their action and unpleasant side-effects.
Nursing procedures have changed very little (after all people are still made the same as they were 20 years ago!). Patients still come to us with the same diseases, although some of them had developed more sophisticated sounding name - Respiratory and Cardiac Failure together has now become Cor. Pulmonale. But whatever the disease, the doubts, fears; and anxieties experienced by the patients are as real as they ever were.
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At the end of my two weeks at Banstead I went up to the Classroom and once again I was fired with the old enthusiasm of my training days. I was handed over to a contemporary of mine who was a Clinical Teacher, and if my persistent questions and eager desire for knowledge bewildered her, she showed no signs of it and her teaching fell on me like rain on thirsty ground-I loved every single minute of it.
The Classroom was prepared for the Final State Examination, and here was a wonderful chance for me to see all the new equipment and refresh my memory on instruments and appliances.
We visited the C.S.S.D and, dare I say it, present-day nurses have 'missed the joys and challenge of the stubborn ward sterilizers which either overflowed, boiled dry, or refused to boil after being switched on for hours! Instruments come in sealed, sterilized containers and dressing packets even include the necessary bowls. I think this innovation is the greatest revolution of all.
It was with great pleasure that I met so many of my contemporaries again. No longer among the less confident ranks of student and staff nurses but serene and confident Ward Sisters, Tutors and Matron's Assistants, and despite their great responsibilities all have far fewer grey hairs than I!
After completing my refresher course, I joined the part-time staff nurse ranks at Banstead, working hours which fit in with the family. Day duty during term time and night duty during the holidays, so I can well combine the roles of mother and nurse.
Returning to nursing has given me a new outlook on life and an added confidence, I enjoy every minute of my days. So to anyone who may be trembling on the brink.I say" Take the plunge and you will find just how much happiness and satisfaction awaits you".
Elsie Anderson, (nee Young).
Review No 35
October 1966
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