Nurse of 60 years has no plans to retire

A nurse who has clocked up more than 60 years of service says she has no plans to retire, just yet.

Teresa Jackson, 77, who is originally from North Hykeham, near Lincoln, started as a cadet nurse in Grimsby at the age of 16.

She has since worked in a number of roles and currently works as a clinical nurse specialist in colorectal and stoma care.

Reflecting on how the profession had changed Ms Jackson said "the more computer work is involved the nearer retirement approaches".

"When I am asked do I intend to retire, of course. But as to when, or how much longer I will continue, who knows," she said.

The mother-of-three said she first decided she wanted to be a nurse at around the age of nine - when she would bandage her pet dog and baby sister.

She started her training in 1965 and after qualifying became a staff nurse on a general surgical ward.

She also worked on a special baby care unit, in elderly care and as a night manager, before going on to become one of the first clinical nurse practitioners in surgery at the hospital.

Looking back, she said: "Nursing was vastly different back in the 1960s. We started our day by damp dusting all lockers, window ledges and backs of the beds. We didn't have all the equipment available today, nursing was patient-orientated not machine-orientated.

"A patient's stay in hospital was so very much longer and in each bedside locker there was an ashtray as patients were allowed to smoke.

"All patients had bed baths, giving time to really get to know your patients, listening and talking with them as you helped them wash," she added.

She said for her the highlights were passing her exams and "meeting so many wonderful people" throughout her career.

She was also invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

"It was a such a special day being at the palace with the late Queen, Prince William, and Princess Kate. The food was amazing and even had little crowns on the sandwiches, everything was just so posh."

On her current role, she said the best part was the camaraderie among colleagues and helping people to adjust to having a stoma.

"If I can continue to carry out my role to the satisfaction of my patients and colleagues then I shall continue, but sadly the more computer work is involved the nearer retirement approaches," she added.

Amanda Stanford, group chief nurse at the NHS Humber Health Partnership, said Teresa had spent her entire career caring for patients in Grimsby.

"Her drive and passion to care for other people is testament to the core of being a nurse," she added.

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