End of an era
Nurse retires after 30 plus years
at Whakatāne Hospital
By Whakatāne Hospital Coordinator, Julie Chapman.
This month Whakatāne Hospital Duty Nurse
Manager Denise Robertson begins a new
chapter in her life. She’s retired after more than
30 years’ service to this organisation.
Denise’s career first started at Whakatāne Hospital in the 70s when
Denise enjoying a farewell brunch. From left to right: Joc Flanagan, Dave van
Dijk, Carolyn Blom, Pare Obrien, Broni Donald, Karen Mexted, Bronny Ives.
Middle row: Fiona Burns, Carol Friend, Julie Chapman and Helen Brebner.
in Sociology, later she gained a Masters in Nursing and Dip of
Education in Counselling. She supported many nurses along the
way, mentoring them with their own studies.
An opportunity arose for Denise to ‘cover some shifts’ at
Whakatāne Hospital and so she returned. Denise has experienced
many changes in healthcare management during her career. She’s
has seen Hospital Board’s, CHEs, Area Health Board, and DHB’s
come and go. Handwritten nursing notes have been replaced
largely with Trendcare and Iphones.
Denise was one of the first members of the NZNO National Nurse
Managers Committee, involved in contract negotiations for the
DNM role and the introduction of Clinical Care Pathways.
the recently demolished Santon Block was actually being built.
She’s made an incredible contribution to nursing and our hospital
She worked in the ICU and Emergency Departments, back then
including providing pastoral care for staff, patients and their
there was one Doctor to cover both the hospital and ED. The
families.
Nursing Night Supervisor’s job was to help the one nurse in the
old A and E if things got busy.
This year, Denise has been commuting back and forth to her night
shifts from Whitianga, where she and her husband moved to be
She took time out to raise her family and when her youngest child
closer to their children and grandchildren. We wish her well in her
was seven she returned to nursing this time in Opotiki. During
retirement.
this time she also began studying for her BA degree majoring
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