THE COLLEGE OF HUMAN AND HEALTH SCIENCE
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
MY FINAL "RETIREMENT" EMAIL
TO ALL THE STAFF
MONDAY 13-4-15
AND THANK YOU FOR THE LOVELY REPLIES!
------------------------
Dear All
I have read so many "Final" Emails over the years.
It is consequently incredibly strange to be writing my own "Final Farewell
Email". I trust you will indulge my "final" rantings - I am sure
you would not expect anything less of me......
Email, in my opinion, is a very mean, shallow
and depersonalized means of communication. It is a poor second to
actually talking to people face to face. In reality I would like to
"say" the the content of this message to you all personally, face to
face - not by an impersonal "electronic" Email. It has been the
nature of my career as a Nurse that interpersonal "one to one" communication
has been crucial, fundamental and essential to quality human
experience. If you "Do Not Want a Reply" then don't send it in
the 1st place!!!! But however, I grudgingly accept that Email has a place I
suppose in aspects of mass communication, as long as you don't use it to say
things to many people you are too weak or frightened to say to someone face to
face in person.
I digress. This is my last "Email" in the CHHS -
after what I can only imagine is 10s, maybe 100s of thousands of Emails. As I
said - indulge me (the Principle Editor of the Almanac) just a little.
Firstly I have been approached by so many of you over the last few weeks
and have had some very kind and nice things said to me by friends,
peers, enemy's, academics, support staff - and and by
some inspiring future leaders. Thank you - this has meant so much me. Most
touchingly were those student nurses and qualified nurses of all ranks who have
individually and collectively sought me out to say thank you and wish me well
after what has been a long, diverse and colorful career.
This has been a long journey for me - from a Student Nurse
in South London to a retiring Senior Nurse Educator at Swansea University.
There have been many milestones along the way - and this is just another one of
those milestones. I set out on my journey (my career as a Nurse) as a
single, rebellious and flippant young man, I am now a grandfather,
and still I am pleased to think perhaps a tad rebellious, flippant and
alternative. I admit without apology that I have never really been
one for rules, regulations and conformity.
I have said previously that during my career in the
University I always viewed myself as a Nurse first and foremost, and as an
academic only as an afterthought. For me, being a NURSE was
one of my greatest achievements, and educating the next generation
of NURSES one of my greatest responsibilities. I always
believed that nursing had provided me with a unique life experience that
allowed me to maintain a sensible perspective even in the most adverse
situation. When the world of the University with all its bureaucracy,
corporate aspiration and regulation sometimes seemed to come crashing
down around me, I looked back and thought of all the patients who I had
cared for, all those who lived, and all those who didn't.
My sense of humour has been, I would like to think, a
blessing rather than burden. I suspect some would disagree, but I have always
felt that Nursing lends itself to finding the silver lining even in the most
difficult and tragic of life's events. And thus, I
am enormously grateful to all those who have laughed with me along
the way - as laughter is the most powerful medicine. If I can impart any
advice to the next generation of Nurse Educators it is one of three things:
Firstly - When your the Teacher - The Students are ALWAYS
the Enemy!
Secondly - never take yourself too seriously, and to
always laugh at your misfortunes as a Nurse Teacher and / or Academic, because
these events are invariably not life threatening....
Thirdly - those who have known my office, with
its multitude of quotations that used to be on its walls
will recognize the following. "The reason
that University Politics is SO vicious, is precisely because the
stakes are SO small" Henry Kissinger. KEEP PERSPECTIVE! Always
remember that not 200 yards from the CHHS offices there is a hospital where
people are fighting for, and sometimes losing their lives, every day.
In 1980, in a small rather shabby bedsit in South London, I
sat as a brand new student nurse, holding a sheet of paper handed to me by my
Nurse Teachers. It was a poem. It inspired me to the point of tears, and it has
driven and inspired me for 35 years ever since. It defines my
raison d'etre as a Nurse. When I questioned why I was going to work, why I
was teaching young people to Nurse - I turned to it. I hope it inspires you to.
It is why we, you, ALL OF YOU, regardless of your role in the CHHS,
carry a responsibility for the next generation of Nurses and Healthcare
Professionals. Never forget - it could be your Mother, Father, Husband, Wife,
Child being cared for by a Nurse.
To the Student Nurses of the CHHS - Never be too Posh to
Wash or too Clever to Care. Instead be Well Educated, Compassionate, Caring
Nurses. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.....
GO TO
I wish you all well - I will miss most of you very much, and
just a few of you just a little, and a tiny minority not at all. More
then anything I will miss the Students, who are the future (despite
being also the enemy!!!) - and the reason that the CHHS exists. Forget
the REF, forget the KPIs, forget the PDRs, forget all
the Corporate Bullshit. Remember that a good Education should be
painful and take you out of your Comfort Zone. Personally I don't give a damn
whether the student has a good experience - as long as they become good
nurses....
NOW - Imagine you're sick, frightened, and a Nurse holds
your hand and says "don't be scared - I am here for you". You all
made that possible - well done the CHHS.... Look to the future and to what
really matters....
However, the Editors of the Almanac must now
move unapologetically on, and pass the "Baton" to the next
generation. The two of us are joining hands, stepping into our Mobile Home, and
driving to a new future with our Grandchildren at our side and with a sense of
great measured optimism. From this day forward every day is Saturday Morning
:o)
Dr Thomas
David Barton PhD, M.Phil, B.Ed, Dip.N
Ta
Ta for Now
Dave
Dr. T.D.
Barton - PhD, M.Phil, B.Ed, Dip.N, RGN, RNT.
Associate
Professor - Nursing / Director of Special Projects
Athro
Cyswllt – Nyrsio/Cyfarwyddwr Prosiectau Allweddol
College of
Human and Health Sciences / Coleg y Gwyddorau Dynol ac Iechyd
Swansea
University / Prifysgol Abertawe
Singleton Park, SWANSEA, SA2 8PP
.jpg)
