My blog pays tribute to a nurse who deserves recognition for her hard work and compassion during her nursing career. I chose Matron Robb, a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, from Northern Ireland. In recognition of her dedication during the Northern Ireland Troubles, she has been honoured with numerous awards, and to this day remains an inspiration to pre and post nurses, in all specialisms.
It was a privilege to create a Wikipedia biography for Matron Robb. As a student nurse, we are constantly learning through evidence-based nursing, and if it wasn't for nurses like Miss Robb who adapted to a complete change in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, we would not know what we do now.
Miss Robb was dedicated and passionate for nursing. It struck me that she had to train as a children's nurse first as she wasn't old enough to undertake adult nursing training. From reading newspaper articles on Miss Robb, dated way back to the 1960s and 1970s, her love for nursing shone through, and although I never met her, her personality leaped off the page.
Miss Robb was an innovator for change and fulfilled the definition of person-centred care. I remember reading an article of how during the Troubles she could be nursing a victim and perpetrator at the same time, yet, never let her own views phase her or her ability to carry out nursing care. Miss Robb was fair and equal and always put others before her.
Currently, I am in my second year of university, studying to be an adult's nurse. The degree can be difficult at times, but my love for people has always got me through it. It amazes me that Miss Robb studied children, adult, and orthopaedic nursing, as well as many other extra courses to provide the best care that she could to lots of different people and conditions. I have just finished my community placement and loved the wound care, and just like Miss Robb, I hope that when I qualify that this is a skill I can enhance and specialise in, to provide the best care possible.
From the training provided by the Wellcome Library, in partnership with the History of Nursing Forum, it has allowed me to enhance my computing and digital skills, allowing me to create the biography. It has been a great project to be a part of, recognising excellent nurses. For more information, read my Wikipedia biography: Kathleen Robb.
The RCN History of Nursing Forum will be holding another Wikipedia 'Nurses in Red' training session on 11 September 2023. On the first Monday of the month, 13:00-14:00 there will be a History of Nursing Forum Wikipedia group workshop for advice. Email Honf@rcn.org.uk if you are interested in joining us.
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