UCC SONM 25 Year Book

UCC / School of Nursing and Midwifery

GERALDINE MCCARTHY (1994-2011)

University College Cork 25 years ago was a different place to that which we have today. Arriving in UCC as the first Lecturer to be appointed in Nursing, I found myself with no contract of employment, and neither an office or a computer. However, the trust I placed in Professor John Hall, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and our shared vision convinced me to stay. It was an exciting yet at times a daunting experience. I found unwavering support from nurses and midwives in the region. At University level, support came from three successive Presidents, Professor Michael Mortell, Professor Gerard Wrixon and Professor Michael Murphy. It also came from medical colleagues, many of whom I had worked with in clinical practice. UCC Professorial colleagues were doubtful at times, yet supportive, in the knowledge that the reform of nursing and midwife education was supported by Government Departments and agencies. The introduction of the BSc Nursing Degree was a milestone as was the development of postgraduate programmes with clinical colleagues. Establishing a research culture and receiving research funding was challenging yet fruitful, as many of the staff received PhD degrees and research funding during my time as Head of School. I was given an opportunity to undertake a journey with respect to education of nurses and midwives in Cork, this meant a dream I had as a young nurse became a reality.

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