saying goodbye

[girloutnumbered]

I work in a 20 bed cardiothoracic ICU with both paed and adult patients. In December we are closing and both units moving to new brand hospitals. Adults to a new adult hospital nad paeds merging with the existing kids hospital here in Auckland.

As you can imagine this is a fairly emotional and sad time for us all. Some of us have worked in this ICU for over 20 years.

Has anyone done this?? Any ideas or tips for survival??

Does anyone have any ideas for "saying goodbye? or ideas for a meaningful ceremony of closure? Something that will mean something for all leaving this place and moving on.

All ideas welcome. :balloons:

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

We have rebuilt a few hospitals here in QLD and the main thing we have done is ensure we are not in the way when the cockroaches abandoned the old buildings.:roll

How about a book on the history of nursing in the hospital several of our hospitals have done this. Or selling "bricks" from the old building as a fund raiser. (They even cut up the old wood banisters to sell as coasters - made some money and it gives people a momento) It is especially "sellable" if the hospital had midwifery.

A BIG party always comes to mind - those are all I can think of at present.

[girloutnumbered]

Thanks for that. Don't worry, like all good nurses we have the big party (or parties in this case) well and truly covered!!

[anndor]

Hello girloutnumbered! See you Monday night shift for our last duty together!

[girloutnumbered]

don't...you'll make me cry!! See you there.