For many individuals, five decades represents an entire lifetime. For Teresa Neate, a highly esteemed nurse and devoted grandmother, it signifies the celebration of a truly remarkable milestone: achieving half a century of dedicated service with the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Teresa's extraordinary journey in nursing commenced with her training on December 17, 1975, at University Hospital Llandough, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to healthcare.
A Lifelong Vocation in Nursing
Throughout the years, Teresa has embraced a diverse range of roles within the health board, progressing to positions such as senior nurse and practice educator. In every capacity, she has provided unwavering support to patients and their families, demonstrating a profound dedication that goes far beyond mere employment. Teresa herself describes nursing as a deep-seated calling.
"Nursing is not just a job, it's a vocation and it's in my blood," she explained. "So many members of my family before me were nurses, and two of my daughters are continuing the tradition having joined the medical profession."
The Heart of the Role
For Teresa, the essence of nursing lies in the profound impact one can have on another person's life, especially during their most challenging moments. "For me, being a nurse is all about making a difference in someone's life and being there when things get difficult," she said. "People and their family look to you as a nurse in those moments." She added that the job satisfaction derived from this meaningful work is often indescribable, highlighting the unique reward of the profession.
Recognition for Outstanding Service
Teresa's decades of hard work and exceptional contribution to nursing have been formally acknowledged through prestigious national honours. Her dedication was first recognised with the Queen Mother Outstanding Service award, followed by the awarding of an MBE for services to nursing in 2011.
Reflecting on these accolades, Teresa shared: "Receiving those awards were some of the proudest moments of my life. I can still remember getting the letter from the Cabinet Office saying I was shortlisted for the MBE, and even now I can't quite believe it." While humble about her achievements, she views these honours as the culmination of her nursing career.
Reflecting on Five Decades
Looking back on her 50 years within the NHS, Teresa described her experience as a nurse in Cardiff and Vale as "an incredible experience." She acknowledged the role's challenges and the personal investment it required, but emphasised the immense returns.
"It's been challenging at times, and I've given a lot of myself to the role over the years, but I've received so much in return," Teresa noted. "It has brought lifelong friendships, helped shape my life with experiences I could never have imagined and led to some of my proudest moments."
She concluded with a heartfelt sentiment about the privilege of her work: "Making a difference in someone's life is such a privilege, and I'm so glad that I was able to do that for the past 50 years." Teresa Neate's story stands as a powerful testament to dedication, compassion, and the lasting impact of a career in nursing.
