Val retires after 46 years NHS nursing service
Val Kurek retired this week after 46 years working for the NHS. From her start at aged 16, Val leaves as Sister of the Longford Community Nursing team in Coventry.
In 1969, Val started out as a nursing cadet, at Gulson Road Hospital and never looked back. By 1974 she was a qualified State Registered Nurse working at Gulson Road Hospital.
Val continued in nursing at various hospitals throughout Coventry and Warwickshire, moving into community nursing in 1990. By 2006 she had completed the qualification to become a Specialist Nurse Practitioner and became Sister of the community nursing team in Wyken. More recently she became Sister of the Longford Community Nursing team, which integrated with the Wood End team, to become the service it is today.
At her leaving celebration, Val said: “I have mixed emotions. I’m looking forward to retirement but sad that my nursing career is coming to an end. I’ve loved every minute and the people I have worked with have always been fantastic, making coming to work a pleasure.
I will really miss my patients. At the end of the day, that’s why we are here and I love to think I am making a difference to improve people’s lives.”
Yvonne Brown, Interim Head of Community Nursing at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, said: “We are proud to have staff like Val, who have trained with and worked in the NHS for their entire career. They are and asset to the organisation and ensure our patients receive the compassionate care they deserve. We wish Val a long and happy retirement.”
Anne Conniff, Community Staff Nurse in Val’s team, said: “I have worked with Val for about five years and am really sad to see her go. She is a real advocate for the patients and always puts them first. Ann Oneil is another Community Nurse in Val’s team who added: “Val is one of the most hard working and dedicated nurses I know and is a really supportive team leader, who treats us all as individuals. We will all miss her, but hope she enjoys her well-earned retirement.”
For more information about the Community Nursing service, visit our website at www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk and search ‘Community Nursing’.