Nurse celebrates 50 years
Published: 07 September 2012
A remarkable career recognised
RCN member June Clarke has been recognised by the Northern Trust and RCN for her her long and illustrious nursing career.
June started her nurse training in 1962 and fifty years later continues to work as a Staff Nurse in the Outpatients Department at Antrim Area Hospital.
In a small event held at Trust headquarters in Ballymena representatives from both the Northern Trust and RCN were in attendance to acknowledge June’s contribution to nursing.
Jim Stewart, Chair of the Northern Trust, spoke on behalf of the organisation, welcoming the opportunity to pay tribute to June and to mark her significant achievement. He said:
“I am delighted to be here today. I often meet with nursing staff as part of my work with the Trust and I am always impressed by their commitment and dedication.
“I think that June’s commitment to a career that has lasted 50 years and continuing, says a lot about her as a person. She is indeed a shining example to everyone who works in health and social care.”
Janice Smyth Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland congratulated June on her achievement. She said:
“It is a privilege for the RCN to recognise June’s fifty years in nursing. Throughout her remarkable career, June has made a tremendous contribution to patient care as well as acting as a mentor to other nurses including this year’s RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year, Claire Galloway.
“June represents everything that is good about the nursing profession and is to be congratulated for reaching such a wonderful milestone in her career.”
In 1965 June was awarded the RCN gold medal for Student Nurse of the Year and in 1967 became a theatre sister. In 1968 she got married and had to give up her sister post as was the custom at that time.
June has two children and in 1974 she and husband, Bill, emigrated with their young family to New Zealand. June worked as a nurse in Christchurch, providing family planning advice and support for young mothers.
The family returned to Coleraine in 1988 and June continued to nurse, gaining a full time post in Coleraine Hospital. Today she works part time in the Outpatients Department in Antrim.
At 70 years of age, June has had a remarkable career. She remains conscientious and is highly thought of by colleagues and patients alike.