Nurse celebrating 50 years at same hospital has inspiring words about the job

Jean Angus started working for the NHS when she was still a teenager in October 1974 and says she still enjoys her job. She says she plans to keep going

NHS nurse Jean Angus is celebrating 50 years in the job and says she has no plans to retire.

The 68-year-old is still working in the same hospital where she started out as a teenager in October 1974. She also served in the Army reserves in Iraq in 2003. Jean said: “I still have the same enthusiasm that I did when I first qualified. I love being a nurse. It’s not what I do, it’s who I am.

“Over the last 50 years I think I have seen it all but this job can still surprise you every day. I’ll retire when I stop enjoying the job but there is still just too much to do.”

Jean said the hospital has changed “beyond recognition” in her time there. She added: “Looking back, it’s the people you care for and the people you work with that you remember the most.”

Jean, who is based at University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, Co Durham, which was called North Tees General Hospital when she started there, has spent most of the past 50 years working in surgery.

Jean, from nearby Middlesbrough, now helps the younger generations come through as head of nursing education for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

She said: “Nursing education has changed so much since 1974 but the patients are still the reason we all become nurses.”

Ward matron Emma Watson said: “She has been a shining star, supporting our lovely students throughout their nursing journey. She is always there and helps us with anything we reach out to her for.”