Josephine Bartley, a notable figure in the nursing profession in Ireland, was born on 29th of August in 1933 and passed away on 13th of May, 2024. Bartley holds a commendable record from kick-starting the nurse’s programme at Beaumont Hospital in 1987, where she led as the first-ever nursing director until her retirement in 1998. As a key founder and former dean in the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery within the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI), she played a substantial role in promoting education and specialisation training for Irish nurses at a time when the nursing industry was gaining recognition in healthcare systems.
Bartley had a remarkable influence on nurse training across regional centres throughout Ireland at the onset of her career. During her tenure as dean at the RCSI (1990-1995), she managed the implementation of the college’s first Bachelor of Nursing degree programme spanning four years. Significant achievements include bestowing the first honorary fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery upon St Teresa of Calcutta in Rome, 1992.
Mary Boyd, the present dean at the RCSI, hailed Bartley for her dedication, compassion, and commitment to the nursing career, stating that she was an exceptional leader and a nurse who prioritised patient welfare above all else, facilitating the training of nurses to high standards of care.
Born second among John and Nora Bartley’s (nee Lee) five offspring, Josephine spent her formative years on a farm in Brittas, Co Limerick. She attended Mercy Girls School in Doon, Co Limerick, and later the now known Coláiste Nano Nagle in Limerick city. Bartley learnt her nursing skills at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, also gaining midwifery training at Belfast’s Royal Maternity Hospital. Her later academic journey encompassed courses in clinical teaching at the Royal College of Nursing, Edinburgh, Scotland, and a diploma course in hospital and health services administration at the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin.
After completing her midwifery training, she offered her services at Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital, Cork’s St Patrick’s Hospital, and Limerick’s Bedford Row Lying-In Hospital, which is now known as University Maternity Hospital. Feeling a passion for global travel, she enlisted in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, which saw her working as a ward sister in military hospitals based in England and Germany. She even spent a year working at the Central Hospital in Kitwe, Zambia.
Her professional life was greatly influenced by Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer famous for establishing the British army’s first military nursing service during the Crimea War in 1854, recognised by many as the initiator of contemporary nursing practices. Following her return to Ireland, she became the assistant matron at St Vincent’s Hospital, playing a significant role in relocating services from the ageing hospital on St Stephen’s Green to the new Elm Park establishment, opened in November 1970.
A beloved sister, aunt and almost a second mother to many, she was there to celebrate every milestone and victory, according to her niece, Joanne Kelleher. By 1977, she was matron of the Richmond Hospital and directly involved in the creation and commissioning of the new Beaumont Hospital. This new institution united the services of Jervis Street and Richmond hospitals located in Dublin city centre. When Beaumont Hospital opened its doors in 1987, she stepped into the role of its inaugural director of nursing, a position she held until 1998 when she retired.
Post-retirement, she continued to contribute to the healthcare sector as a board member for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, now recognised as Children’s Hospital Ireland at Crumlin. Nursing students who were trained under her describe a strong, fair, and compassionate woman. A devout person, she acted as matron for the yearly Dublin Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes volunteers. An active member of the Guild of Irish Catholic Nurses, she represented the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants at the World Health Organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Beyond her professional engagements, she was a keen bridge player and an active volunteer in her local church in Dublin’s Knocklyon suburb. Her niece, Joanne Kelleher, mentioned that she was also significantly involved with her family.
Josephine Bartley, much loved sister and aunt, has left a lasting impact on her family. Dubbed as an additional parent by many, she was present at every milestone and celebration within the family,” Kelleher noted. In honour of her enduring contributions, the Ms Bartley Prize for Excellence in Nursing Care is awarded annually to one outstanding graduating student nurse by the Beaumont Hospital.
Bartley is mourned by her sisters Amy (Duggan) and Mary (Rice), as well as by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was sadly preceded in death by her siblings, Anna (Kelleher) and Seamus.