Chris Trow will be missed for her leadership, friendship and home baking.
Colleagues farewelled the Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) at Hawke's Bay Hospital today.
Retiring to the family bach in Mahia with her husband and dog ‘Rosie’, Chris has devoted 38 years to nursing in Hawke’s Bay – more than 20 of which have been in leadership roles largely as CNM of the Acute Assessment Unit and Medical Day Unit.
Chris says working with patients and staff has been a joy and something she will deeply miss.
“The people you meet, the conversations and friendships you make. It’s special. It really has been the most fulfilling career.
“For me patients are the priority, but an equal priority is our nursing staff. I have enjoyed nurturing staff and I think one of my strengths has been recruiting the right people and building a really strong team who in turn, provide the best possible care to our patients.”
Colleagues say Chris’ leadership and friendship will be sorely missed.
“I’ve known Chris for 15 years and to me she has three outstanding qualities,” reflects Susan Hawken, Operations Manager for Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and Transport.
“One is her ability to work with change and bring her team with her on the process. She has always been someone who gets involved in the change process early and runs with it; leads it and supports her team whilst doing so.
“The second is her focus on the patient journey – always at the forefront of how she manages her unit. The third is the way Chris supports her staff and pastoral care. She’s caring and confidential and staff have always known they can rely on her.”
Colleague Catherine Hine says Chris’ generous and kind spirit even expands to bringing home baking in for the team.
“She also has an amazing ability to not sweat the small stuff.”
Chris says a colleague she will dearly miss, on a daily basis, is ACC administration coordinator Steph Betty.
“We have carpooled together for the past 25 years,” says Chris.
“Who is going to solve all the world’s problems during those car journeys like we have over those years? Steph is going to have to learn to talk to herself,” she quips.
Steph sums up the working relationship Chris has nurtured with her team over the years in a nutshell.
“Not only have we carpooled but Chris has also been my boss for quite a few of those years, including when we worked back at Napier Hospital,” says Steph.
“Chris is such an excellent nurse. She is compassionate to patients and especially the elderly. I and the team are going to miss her terribly.”
Go well Chris. May your retirement days be long and filled with fun and family.
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