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/ News / "I wanted to do the job of a nurse honestly," says Emilie Chrobáková, who has worked at the Beroun hospital for half a century

"I wanted to do the job of a nurse honestly," says Emilie Chrobáková, who has worked at the Beroun hospital for half a century

31. 7. 2018

This year marks exactly fifty years since Emilie Chrobáková joined the Beroun hospital as a fresh graduate of the Secondary Medical School. She is still working there today. Unbelievable as it may seem to some, Emilie Chrobáková has been working in surgical theatres for 49 years. In the following short interview, a very likable and elegant lady with a refined demeanour and sense of humour evaluates her work at the Beroun hospital, talks about the nursing profession and reveals her plans "when" she retires.

It seems incredible to some that you've held on to the same job for half a century. How would you explain it, what was your motivation?

As a woman, I had no interest in studying technical fields. When I was studying at medical school, I discovered the work I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to be a nurse.

How did you view the profession at that time?

I wanted to do the job of a nurse with honesty and care. I recognized that I had to help and work with patients. I've been working in surgical theatres since 1969. Working as a nurse allows me to fulfill the vision of my life's mission - to help people.

How do you evaluate the development of the hospital over the last fifty years?

In fifty years, the instrumentation in the surgical theatres has changed. Previously, the procedure of surgery depended only on the surgeon. Nowadays, the machines help him. The fundamental changes in our hospital in Beroun took place in the last ten years after the privatisation of the hospital, when the owner invested in building improvements and in equipping it with modern equipment. Services for patients and their rehabilitation have been expanded. And in response to these changes, the numbers of orderlies, nurses and doctors were increased.

What has changed over the years in the nursing profession and what programs remain the same? Do you have a message for younger colleagues?

Today's nurse has to fill out more medical documentation, which takes up half of her work time. What still remains in the nursing profession is patience when working with a sick person. The message to the "health" students is simple and straightforward: "Don't go to nursing school just to get your high school diploma, but prepare yourself for the fact that being a nurse is a nice job and also a demanding one."

Are you looking forward to retirement? How do you envision life without the hospital?

I'll retire someday, but I'll probably miss my job. I'd like to go for walks with our dog and watch the sunset. If health and finances permit, I would like to travel, to see Paris, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Europe again. I have a daughter and granddaughter in England so would love to visit them. I like to read books so I will read a lot. There are clouds of books and life is too short for that. Enjoying with friends, going to the theatre, going to exhibitions, reading, doing crosswords ... etc. Just enjoy life and be cool and "laugh" through life!

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