Looking back on a career in nursing

Today, I retired from my role as a nurse practitioner in a GP surgery and from a career in nursing. I am feeling nostalgic, but as I reflect, am struck by how diverse, fulfilling and rewarding my journey has been.

It began 32 years ago when I trained as a state registered nurse at St. Thomas's Hospital, London. With new friendships and a flat opposite the Houses of Parliament, my career was off to a good start. Nursing then was all about consolidating knowledge with practice and we undertook 'blocks' of ward experience, preceded by two to three weeks in nursing school.