Meet Gerieke
''I said goodbye to KinderThuisZorg then, but it felt like a 'goodbye' even then. ''
After six years, Gerieke is back at KinderThuisZorg. You can read more about her decision to quit and come back to work at KinderThuisZorg here.
Gerieke, how nice that you have chosen KinderThuisZorg again. What is the reason for your choice?
From January 2013 to August 2016 I enjoyed working at KinderThuisZorg AND during that time I obtained my child endorsement in the first extramural group. I loved driving around in the yellow Fiats and getting to know children from 0 - 18 years old. Shifting gears from crying babies to rebellious adolescents. I always experienced working and driving as freedom rather than labor. After 3.5 years, I wanted to fulfill my desire to work abroad. I said goodbye to KinderThuisZorg then, but it felt like a "goodbye" even then.
What did you do in the meantime?
I worked in northern Uganda for 18 months. Here was a small hospital that had too many people to serve. There was no unit for neonates and no special knowledge. This was then set up and I was then able to transfer my knowledge to local nurses and doctors by working directly with them. I also gave many trainings regarding the care of the most vulnerable little ones. More and more I realized that I should be incredibly grateful for the Dutch healthcare system and the development and knowledge we have here. I wanted to use that advantage to develop myself further. Then I did pediatric ICU and ICU neonatology. By now I have been working in the cardiology unit of the ICK for some time. Still, Children's Home Care stuck in the back of my mind... I was looking for something to do in addition to my work in the ICU. I saw the vacancy 'Transmural Pediatric Nurse' and it sounded like the ideal combination to me. I like the idea of being able to follow up the child at home and thus bridge the gap between hospital and home.
How have you experienced your return so far?
It feels a bit like coming home. Even though things have changed, the basics of care are still the same and I'm really looking forward to starting again!
