Dedicated emergency department nurse Heather Charlton celebrates 40 years of nursing

Well known to many, Heather has been working in health for over 40 years, one of many staff across the District who hit this milestone in 2020.

Nursing wasn't always in the cards for Heather. She said she originally wanted to become a vet but she found it too hard to get into, so after doing some enjoyable work experience at a hospital, she decided to become a nurse.

"I trained in Lithgow at the old hospital system and then went to Penrith for nine months where I enjoyed working but it was just too hot," she said.

Heather has seen many changes throughout the years including the way people relate to nurses.

"It is less military, we normally talk on a first name basis, no more 'sister' this and 'doctor' that, patients have a better relationship with us," she said.

"But I also think there is less respect for nurses than there used to be."

Heather also said there had been leaps and bounds made in technological advancements.

"There is also less time to relate to people because of how busy we are in the emergency department," she said.

Working in the emergency department takes a strong character and someone who is dedicated to helping people.

"I am motivated at work by the needs of people who are vulnerable, which is most of our patients. I try to treat everyone the same, and be the best nurse I can be for them," Heather said.

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"The best lesson I have learnt is that though we try our best, we are human and not God. We cannot always be perfect, though we aim to be. There are things that are beyond our control."

Heather says that some of her favourite experiences were during her training and taking the time to talk with patients and have fun with them.

"Being a nurse in Lithgow is particularly rewarding because being a smaller community we often know a lot of our patients and there is something special about being able to help others we know, as well as those we don't," she said.

Heather said she would recommend this career to others, as long as they were prepared for 'a hard life'.

"It is very rewarding but it can be extremely challenging especially with all the shift work," she said.

She said that the plus side of the career was the camaraderie between the colleagues, especially at Lithgow Hospital.

"I am just one of many at the hospital who have worked 40 plus years, others have worked 45, 46 years and another retired who had been there for 50 years, so there is a lot of dedicated people at the hospital," she said.

Heather wanted to thank all of her colleagues for their ongoing support and friendship over the years.

"I need to thank my husband for putting up with the shift work, as well as my family," she said.