Meeting others during training was for me a real life eye opening adventure. There was an engaging mixture of nationalities around me bringing their own influences. There were plenty of representatives of what’s referred to now as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our nursing training was a common bond for us students. On the ward placements the hierarchy of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years students meant we learnt from those a year ahead. Trained staff were there for the big items such as signing off our formal assessments.
The camaraderie lasted into evenings and on holidays. Evenings out, and when we could afford them, meals out were enjoyed. At the end of the day I’d often use my pressure cooker to create a hot meal, and could share that with others. A birthday was often the excuse for a party, often in a house that some folk shared. These could turn into long nights that led straight into an early shift the next day. Days off if lasting more than 2 or 3 days meant I’d head south towards home. There I could catch up with family and friends.
Friends were important as I’d said in my last blog. As I found friends locally outside work they were good to catch up with too. We had access to places like Kenwood and the summer evening concerts. Getting there we often used the vintage bus owned by one of the group. Spending time with them became an alternative to nursing home life that could be closed in at times. As they had their own homes they offered food, or the use of washing machines when the ones in the nursing home were broken. That some of those friendships from both south and north of the Thames continue today is a testament to the value we give them.
Some of our friends
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