The Seamans Dispensary

Improvements in technology have advanced Nursing. From manual methods of taking blood pressures, manual CVP readings etc to digital displays on the monitoring system. Developments in urinalysis to the Clinical Information Systems being used now in most ICUs . The arrival of the Robots and AI technology to their eventual and hopefully beneficial use as Nursing / Medical assistants.

Christmas time in the Hospitals 1970s and 80s. The Christmas Nativity scenes. The Christmas " tours" of the wards by the Student Nurses and the encouragement of alcohol intake! The Christmas party / disco!!! Mistletoe and its magical properties for a good snog. 2 Medical Miracles of God in answer to prayer.

Role of Staff Nurse 1981 to 2026 The failure of the Nurse education system. 4 year degree in Nursing has become similar to Social Work degree due to Educationalists attempting to divorce Nursing from Medicine. Nursing is both Art and Science. R.G.N qualification dumbed down thanks to Universities.

The role of the traditional Ward Sister in 70s and 80s. The Consultant Rounds.

The On Call Hospital system in Dublin lasted untill the opening of the Adelaide and Meath Hospital at Tallaght in 1998!

The Dublin Hospitals on call system for Accident & Emergency Departments late 1980s. Closures of the Meath, Jervis Street, Mercers, Dr Steevens, Sir Patrick Dunns, Richmond, Adelaide, Baggot Street Hospitals. One hospital on Northside and one hospital on southside ON CALL!!

Entered Religious life for 3 years. Passionist Order, Mount Argus, Dublin 6. St Vincents Hospital, Dublin 4. Irish Sisters of Charity. Our Ladys Hospice, Harolds Cross, Dublin. Mary Aikenhead and Catherine McAuley, strong, capable women, both Foundresses of Irish ( now Religious) Sisters of Charity and  Irish Sisters of Mercy, respectively. Agency nursing, Middlesex, UCH, Guys, St Bartholomews, Lo...

From ICU to Accident & Emergency Department, Westminster Hospital, London. Attending to a gorgeous George Best, 70s & 80s Football legend, not at his very best. The " Blue Phone" trim phone warning us of " suspended breathing" cases and their Estmated Time of Arrival. The bombing of Harrods Department store by the I.R.A at Christmas and the chaos of that day and the Maj...

Westminster Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Starched aprons and frilly hats that looked like large birds nests . The unweanable Max and his 9 month stay in ICU on a Servo Ventilator. The A.I.D.S epidemic hits the ICU. multiple young men on ventilators, 100% oxygen and P.E.E.Ps of 15cms, inotropes maxed out, dialysed but dying none the less with no known cause.

Undertaking the J.B.C.N.S Course 100 and 249 Adult General and Cardio- Thoracic Intensive Care for Nurses. The Blease Ventilators and the IMV Valve. Post op Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts and Aortic / Mitral Valve replacement patients. Ventilation, Inotropes, Chest Drains, Intra Aortic Balloon Pumps, Pacing Wires, Dialysis, (CVVHD)  Emergency Thoracotomies in ICU. (Cracking chests)

Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer July 1981. I qualify as State Registered Nurse July 1981. Working in Acute Medical Ward with 4 Coronary Care beds. Applying for J.B.C.N.S 100 Course combined with J.B.C.N.S 249 course. General and Cardio Thoracic ICU of Adult patient Nursing Course. E.N.B 100 and ENB 249 Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool 1982.

Nutrition and Naso-Gastric feeding. Mealtimes in the Nightingale Wards. The bath book. Nursing shifts and hours of employment for nurses 1979 and 2026.

More experiences as a Student Nurse 1978 to 1981 on Nightingale Wards in St Catherines Hospital, Birkenhead, Liverpool. Nursing Culture on Night Duty. The Nurses Capes, wrap around comfort and warmth, transforming you into a large black bat poised  and ready for action! The Night Sisters arrival and round. Heminevrin infusions galore!

My time as Student Nurse 1978 to 1981. 1978 the year of the 3 Popes! Traditional Apprenticeship nurse education v current academia. The military style of the Ward Sisters and the fun of breaking the rules as a Student Nurse. The case of the missing false teeth!

My time as a voluntary worker in Hospital run by nuns. Before i became a Student Nurse. 1975 / 1976.

My experience in the famous "Seamans Dispensary" in Liverpool 1979 as Student Nurse. The hilarious Mr Plumb Charge Nurse. My time in Accident and Emergency Westminster Hospital, London 1984 / 5 The ending of my " American Dream" 1985.