It’s goodnight nurse
Nearly half a century working with newborns and Jeanette Pattenden still wants to be a babysitter! By Aaron Leaman.
FOR a woman who counts time management as a strength, Jeanette Pattenden has no idea where the past decade went.
On Thursday, the 78-year-old was farewelled by colleagues at Waikato Hospital after calling time on a nursing career spanning 47 years working mostly afternoon and night shifts.
Her passion has been women’s health, caring for mothers and their newborns.
In between hugs and farewell speeches, Pattenden took the chance to say a final goodbye to the little treasures in her care.
She’ll miss them, no doubt about it. She’s already told her colleagues to call her if they ever need a babysitter.
Pattenden started nursing in 1959 and, after a break to have three children, returned to the profession part-time in 1973.
She didn’t expect to stay as long as she did, but retirement and putting her feet up didn’t appeal much.
‘‘I love my job and my colleagues and I honestly don’t know where those years from age 65 till now went. I guess I might be one of these boring people, life goes on and in the end it just catches up with you. I’ve lived by the university for 52-plus years so I don’t do change often.’’
As one of the country’s oldest nurses, Pattenden has seen and experienced her share of change.
Gone is the traditional nurse’s uniform – white dress and stockings, starched cap and belt – replaced by a blue tunic and CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ matching pants. ‘‘Nurses are allowed to wear sneakers, black or navy I think, but I never wore them,’’ she said.
Another change has been the involvement of men.
No longer are expectant fathers ushered out of the delivery suite and made to wait in hospital corridors.
‘‘I remember well when GPs did most of the deliveries and fathers had to have a GP letter to say he was happy to have the husband in the theatre. Things started to change around the time midwives gained autonomy and I think it’s been a good thing for women to have their partners there supporting them.’’
Traditional ideas of motherhood have also evolved over the years, as increasing numbers of older women and those with health challenges opt to have children.
One of the most significant changes, is the time women spend in hospital following birth, she said.
Previously, first-time mothers and those that have a caesarean birth would stay in hospital for at least 10 days.
‘‘Today, if women have a socalled normal vaginal delivery, they stay for about 14 hours. Things are flexible but I think it’s all to do with financing.’’
Pattenden doesn’t expect to be idle during her retirement but jokes she and husband Gerry might have to find a few more common interests.
She’s already been invited back to the hospital on a voluntary basis. ‘‘If I come back I’’ll just be keeping the ward tidy and maybe bathing a baby but I don’t know if I will. It might be too tempting to start nursing again.’’