Farewell Jessie: Honouring an Extraordinary Nursing Career
Last week, we bid a fond farewell to our much-loved Registered Nurse, Jessie Russo, who retired after an incredible 26 years at The McIndoe Centre (13 years with Horder Healthcare). Jessie will be returning to her home in Ireland, where she plans to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Jessie's remarkable nursing career spans 52 years, a profession she dedicated her life to, caring for countless patients with her outstanding care. Her journey began in 1972 at just 18 years old, where she began her training in Dublin. She qualified as a nurse in 1977 after completing a training programme led by nuns, ‘The Sisters of Mercy’, through a strict and regimental training programme with a strong emphasis on patient care, cleanliness and standards, which hasn't changed to this day.
Once qualified, Jessie worked in Dublin for two years as a Staff Nurse and subsequently completed her midwifery training. She soon realised, however, that her true passion lay in general surgery, and she returned to the field where she felt most at home.
Nursing also provided Jessie with an opportunity to travel the globe and sent her far from Dublin, where she went to work in the Middle East. She had many notable experiences, including taking care of the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi, to nursing the first bone marrow transplant patient. These experiences deepened her knowledge, broadened her perspective, and further strengthened her dedication to excellent patient care.
For International Nurses Day last year, Jessie reflected on what nursing has meant to her, saying:
"No matter where I went to work in the world, patients are patients and they will always come first. After all these years I still enjoy being by their bedside. I find it so rewarding and I am proud of all the positive patient feedback I receive from patients and families. It for me has been a vocational career choice where I have worn my nurses uniform with pride"
Jessie Russo, Registered Nurse
Last week, we bid a fond farewell to our much-loved Registered Nurse, Jessie Russo, who retired after an incredible 26 years at The McIndoe Centre (13 years with Horder Healthcare). Jessie will be returning to her home in Ireland, where she plans to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Jessie's remarkable nursing career spans 52 years, a profession she dedicated her life to, caring for countless patients with her outstanding care. Her journey began in 1972 at just 18 years old, where she began her training in Dublin. She qualified as a nurse in 1977 after completing a training programme led by nuns, ‘The Sisters of Mercy’, through a strict and regimental training programme with a strong emphasis on patient care, cleanliness and standards, which hasn't changed to this day.
Once qualified, Jessie worked in Dublin for two years as a Staff Nurse and subsequently completed her midwifery training. She soon realised, however, that her true passion lay in general surgery, and she returned to the field where she felt most at home.
Nursing also provided Jessie with an opportunity to travel the globe and sent her far from Dublin, where she went to work in the Middle East. She had many notable experiences, including taking care of the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi, to nursing the first bone marrow transplant patient. These experiences deepened her knowledge, broadened her perspective, and further strengthened her dedication to excellent patient care.
For International Nurses Day last year, Jessie reflected on what nursing has meant to her, saying:
"No matter where I went to work in the world, patients are patients and they will always come first. After all these years I still enjoy being by their bedside. I find it so rewarding and I am proud of all the positive patient feedback I receive from patients and families. It for me has been a vocational career choice where I have worn my nurses uniform with pride"
Jessie Russo, Registered Nurse
Jessie kicked off her retirement celebrations with colleagues on Friday and continued up until her last shift on Sunday. A fantastic buffet was served, and Ward Sister Niamh Worts even created a memorable stool chart–themed retirement cake (see photos!).
Her colleagues had organised a generous collection and she was gifted with a leather handbag, wellies and socks, champagne, perfume, a heated throw blanket and flowers.
Consultants and anaesthetists came to the ward to wish Jessie well bringing gifts of champagne (she is known to enjoy a glass of bubbles!), and she even received a bouquet of flowers from retired surgeon and former main partner of The McIndoe Centre, Mr Peter Arnstein.
The McIndoe Centre's Ward Manager, Shirley Byway commented,
“Jessie had an unbelievable send off, she was overcome and delighted. After 52 years at the patients bedside, she really was a legend”
We wish Jessie every happiness in her retirement and thank her for her many years of service to the nursing profession
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As a nationally recognised hospital of excellence in plastic, reconstructive, ophthalmic and maxillofacial surgery, we have demonstrated ourselves to be: effective, responsive, caring, safe and well-led. Recently rated ‘good’ by the CQC, we are committed to treating our patients and each other with kindness, respect and dignity resulting in life-changing outcomes.
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