UCC SONM 25 Year Book

UCC / School of Nursing and Midwifery

Sr. Laurentia Roche Sr. Laurentia Roche, retired from her position as Director of Nursing at the Mercy University Hospital in 2003. In acknowledgement of her contribution to the health services and to nursing in particular, she received an Honorary Masters’ Degree in Nursing from University College Cork on 7 th December 2010. Sr. Laurentia was born in Kinsale, Co. Cork in 1931, where she received

her primary and secondary education. In 1950, she entered the Mercy Congregation in Cork and in 1953 commenced her training as a student nurse. Sr. Laurentia worked in various positions in the Mercy Hospital over the years as a student nurse, Staff Nurse, Ward Sister, Assistant Matron, Matron and Director of Nursing. In all she worked as a Nurse from 1953 – 2003, fifty years, half a century of giving service in health care to the people of Cork and the greater surrounds. During her training and in subsequent times as a staff nurse, patient care was always paramount. Working as Staff Nurse and Ward Sister in St. Catherine’s female surgical Ward, Sr. Laurentia worked 12 hour days but was on call 24 hours a day as was the norm for all Mercy Sisters.

Sr. Laurentia Roche with Professor McCarthy and Sr. Concepta Twomey

In 1969, Sr. Laurentia became Assistant Matron with responsibility for both nursing and many other services within the hospital. In 1982, having taken a nursing administration course in the UK, she became Matron/Director of Nursing (DON) of the hospital and served in this post from 1982 to 2003. In 1975, the Hospital celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Hospital School of Nursing and in 2002 the School, under the leadership of Sr. Laurentia, transferred students and some Nurse Tutors to University College Cork (UCC). Thus began University Diploma and Degree level education or Nursing in collaboration between the Mercy Hospital and UCC. During her 50 years as a Nurse, Sr. Laurentia has worked in an era of no disposable appliances or dressings to the introduction of piped oxygen and keyhole surgery. She has seen the focus change from an emphasis on cleanliness to an emphasis on complex diagnostic and treatments modalities, a changing environment and legalistic perspective. She has seen the demand that these changes placed on healthcare professionals in general and on Nursing in particular. The conferring of Sr. Laurentia with an Honorary Master’s degree again reflects the commitment of the Mercy Order. It is beyond question that the life and work the Sisters of Mercy has been central to the Mercy Hospital, St. Finbarr’s Hospital, South Infirmary Hospital and Cork University Hospital. The last remaining Sisters of Mercy transferred from the Mercy Hospital Convent to St. Maries of the Isle in 2019.

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