RUH nurses from class of 1996 celebrate 30 years of working in Bath

Four nurses who began their training together at the Royal United Hospital in Bath in 1996 have come together to celebrate 30 years of service.

Toni Salamon, Jackie Robinson, Toni Lynch, Nadine Geary and Dana Di.Iulio | Photo © RUH

The group, described as part of the RUH’s “Class of 96”, met to reflect on the changes they have seen over three decades and the reasons they have remained at the hospital ever since.

The four are Dana Di.Iulio, now an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse; Jackie Robinson, Senior Sister in Urology; Toni Salamon, Lead Surgical Nurse Practitioner; and Nadine Geary, a Recovery Nurse.

All trained at the RUH after starting on a Common Foundation in Nursing Programme before moving into their chosen specialist areas.

Looking back on what has changed most, the nurses said advances in technology and the expansion of the hospital stand out.

“Technology definitely,” said Jackie. “It’s come such a long way and has improved the care we can provide to our patients and helped the staff too.”

Dana added: “The size of the hospital too. It’s grown a lot over the years and we now look after more patients than ever before.”

Asked about the most difficult period of their careers, all four pointed to the Covid pandemic.

“We saw things that we’d never seen before,” said Nadine. “It was a really tough time both emotionally and physically.”

Dana said: “Working in Infection Prevention meant that a lot of people came to us for advice, so keeping on top of all the latest guidance was a real challenge.”

Jackie added: “For me, the hardest thing was seeing how it affected our patients’ relatives and loved ones, who couldn’t visit our wards in person.”

Toni said: “Although it was a really tough time, the camaraderie between all the staff was incredible. We all came together to support and look out for each other.”

Despite the challenges, the four said the RUH has remained a place they have wanted to stay.

Toni said: “It’s the people. It’s such a friendly place, it really is a pleasure to work here.”

“It really does feel like a family,” Jackie said. “Everyone says hello when you’re walking down the corridor.

“The location of the hospital is good too – Bath is a lovely city and we’re lucky to have so much green space around the hospital.”

Nadine said: “There are also lots of opportunities to further your career – you really don’t need to look anywhere else.”

“There really is something special about this place,” added Dana. “I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”