Retirement .Well resignation

The last month has flown by and all of a sudden it was my last week
Meredith had been on holiday the last 3 weeks so I had been really busy, also planning how to hand over some longer term patients.
I walked to work as usual and on the Tuesday Bernadette Twomey, my Nursing Manager had advertised a hospital wide Afternoon tea. But I think it went mainly to the Nursing groups as it was the CNC and ward nurses who came.

My newer route where I entered from the park. These are windows of ward rooms.

It was interesting to hear what aspects of my work had made an effect or influence on others. I have always felt I am a really good nurse, even since first days of training, but I also felt that it was a job hat I just did well, not that it was especially clever or gifted.
But the feedback from people made me see that it is not as simple as I felt!! A feel good event!
All day I met people as I walked form the office to the wards who stopped me to confirm (or react in horror if they had only just heard) when I was leaving and wish me well.
The afternoon tea was followed by an Exit interview with Bernadette. (most people were surprised when I mentioned it.) i talked about the good things and then told her that the most frustrating , and a factor in my decision to leave, was the removal of funding for Annual Leave cover since 2009.
She talked with Michael Marks about this and he, also with John Stanway Finance Manager and he said (given an example that meant 2 patients stayed 2-3 extra days till we returned) "Just do it"! So as I walk out the  door we had cover!!
So it also means I will do a week here and there relieving Meredith!
I was given a beautiful gift from teh Sugar Glider ward staff at a separate afternoon tea on Wednesday
A full size umbrella with Monet's Poppy Field on it and a gorgeous shawl/ scarf in reds and oranges. Beautiful!
i paused to look back at the building as i walked way, pensive not sad!
People asked if I was going to dinner etc after work but I had the PMYC Committee meeting, and there
We cracked  a bottle of wine and it seemed a good ending to the day.
The rest of the week continued as usual.Thursday off and catching up on chores  especially house cleaning (amount done in direct proportion to how soon visiotrs are coming (Celia on saturday)

The greatest scientists in the world. ...wear nappies 

Then private patients on Friday followed by getting some hair colour done. A fresh start .
I am taking the rest of this month off while Celia is home, and getting ready to advertise and increase my private practice. mail outs networking and a web site August 1st  !