Retiring nurse has no regrets

Press, 29 January 1988, Page 5

Retiring nurse has no regrets

By

SARAH SANDS

A 40-year career in nursing ends today when Miss Margaret Darby retires from her post as chief nurse for the Canterbury Hospital Board. Miss Darby, who was appointed chief nurse in 1984, said yesterday that she planned to have a quiet retirement catching up on many activities she had not had time for while working. “I’m a member of the Altrusa Club, but I’ve been on leave for the last 12 months because I found it difficult to be active in that when I’m committed to work. “So I’m looking forward to getting back into that and I also plan to take up some sort of community work after a short interval.” Golf is also on the list of planned activities. "I’ve always wanted to

play golf but it’s not easy when you’ve just got the week-ends.” Miss Darby, who started her general nursing training at Christchurch Hospital in 1946, said she had never had a moment’s regret about choosing nursing as a career. “I don’t really know why I chose nursing other than that so many young girls at that stage wanted to do something that would help other people. But I’ve certainly never thought seriously about changing to anything else.” After completing her nursing training in 1949, Miss Darby spent two years as a staff nurse at Christchurch Hospital before going to Southern Hospital in Kent, England. On her return to New Zealand in 1952, she became a ward sister at Christchurch Hospital and tutqred at the Christcfrt'fch School of Nursing

from 1955 to 1963. Miss Darby then moved to The Princess Margaret Hospital where she became, in rapid succession, second assistant matron, first assistant matron and principal nurse, a position she held from| 1964 to

1978. From 1978 to 1984, Miss Darby was principal nurse at Christchurch Hospital. She said that during her career she had seen many changes in nursing. “When I was a student nurse, many of the patients in hospital were in a convalescing stage that now would take place at home. “As learners we were able to give care to those who were relatively well — as medicine progressed and skills have developed, the nurse now has to care for those who are more sick.” Young people considering nursing as a career today should think carefully about their motive, said Miss Darby. “It is a demanding career, and unless they really have the desire to. care for others then it is'

too demanding. “While nursing provides a secure future that many young people are looking for now, this (security) should not be their top priority — it is not sufficient in itself.” However, Miss Darby said she would -have no hesitation recommending nursing to anyone who was truly interested. ■ “If they were to get the enjoyment and satisfaction from nursing that I have had then I would certainly recommend it.” Miss Darby was awarded a Nuffield Foundation scholarship in 1970, which involved three months observation of nursing management methods in the United Kingdom. In 1983, she received a Health Department study award for similar observation in the United States, Canada, and .again in Britain. *