Nurse earns Distinguished Service Award for 52 years of service

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Fifty years ago, the first heart transplant was successfully completed in South Africa; it was around that same time that Frank Watt of Alexander became a nurse. Watt will be honoured with the Distinguished Service Award for his five decades of service from Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson today.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/05/2017 (2501 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fifty years ago, the first heart transplant was successfully completed in South Africa; it was around that same time that Frank Watt of Alexander became a nurse. Watt will be honoured with the Distinguished Service Award for his five decades of service from Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson today.

Watt explained that he was first intrigued by nursing when his childhood neighbour was sick in the old Assiniboia Hospital. Having taken notice of the surroundings, the nurses’ roles at the hospital, and with a special focus on geriatric care, he started to take a serious interest in caring for others.

“‘Help other people’ is my motto,” Watt said.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun
Frank Watt, who continues to work as a nurse at the age of 74, is receiving the Distinguished Service Award today in Winnipeg.
Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Frank Watt, who continues to work as a nurse at the age of 74, is receiving the Distinguished Service Award today in Winnipeg.

During his 52 years of service, Watt has worked at the Assiniboine Hospital, which used to be at Richmond Avenue and 10th Street, and for the Brandon Regional Health Centre at the Assiniboine Centre.

At 74 years young, Watt continues to work as a nurse.

Although he has a passion for helping anyone in need, Watt enjoys caring for Brandon’s eldest citizens most of all.

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say they’re neglected, but they aren’t often recognized, and kind of have a lonely life.” Watt said.

The practice of nursing has evolved so much in five decades that Watts almost can’t think of an aspect that hasn’t changed. From the introduction of crash carts and intercoms to advancing drugs and monitoring systems, he was there for it all.

Perhaps the most obvious transition in the practice of nursing was the switch to disposable equipment. Fifty years ago, nurses were responsible for washing and sterilizing items such as bedpans, and needles. Today, bedpans are made of disposable plastic.

“You did work harder in terms of cleaning things like equipment,” Watt said.

He also explained that the nursing community was shocked with the introduction of CPR.

“To get everybody educated in using it, and when they should use it, was big because we had never heard of anything like it before,” Watt said.

Another aspect of not only nursing but society as a whole that has changed significantly is the way death is handled.

Fifty years ago it was common for elderly patients who got sick, or who were unwell, to prepare to pass away in their homes. This is different from today, where an elderly patient will likely stay in the hospital until their passing. Today, hospitals and medical professionals are much more equipped to treat terminal illnesses, and to make patients as comfortable as possible as they near their end of life.

“We have different methods of saving or continuing a person’s life now,” Watt said. “Whereas in the old days, there were hardly any interventions that could save or continue a life.”

Watt also says he has seen aspects of his job modified and changed over the years, only to come back around to the initial practice he was familiar with.

“I think they’ve gone through three or four (types of) thermometers in my time.” Watt said. “I guess they were handier as time went on, but at the end of the day, a temperature is a temperature.”

Of all the new methods, devices, and concepts that came in and out of practice over the years, there is one that has been the most valuable and impactful to Watt in his career.

“Palliative care has come into being, and it was a great advancement.” he said. “At first, doctors were very hesitant to give patients too much medication for pain. As time has gone on, they’ve become quite liberal, which is a wonderful thing in keeping the patient comfortable, and keeping them from lingering in misery.”

Of all the changes modern medicine has seen, and the constant evolution of the practice of nursing, there’s only one thing Watt said hasn’t changed: the fundamentals.

“Patient care and doing everything we possibly can to make patients comfortable, that has continued. We’re all there for the same reason; to help these patients, and keep them comfortable, clean, and fed.”

While today there are significantly fewer male nurses than female, in 1965 a male nurse was nearly unheard of. Stigmas existed that men couldn’t provide proper patient care, and that they didn’t have the same nurturing abilities required to be a nurse.

“I always got along with the girls,” Watt said. “I wouldn’t say I felt inferior to the girls, but some of the guys did at times.”

After 50 years of service, Watt had some advice for young men and women who are working toward a degree in nursing.

“You have to be thoughtful and empathetic,” he said. “But you have to be a special kind of person to be a nurse.”

Watt will be presented with the award from Isleifson today in Winnipeg.

“His story and dedication of providing patient care, reassurance and companionship to his patients made a significant difference in the patient experience.” Isleifson said. “Caring for those who are experiencing the health-care system at a time when they are not in the best health, takes a special person.”

» The Brandon Sun

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