Jane Ann Morgan, who last month celebrated 50 years as a nurse, spoke to Nursing Times about what she enjoys most about her role and why she’s not ready to stop just yet
How would you describe your role to someone you’ve just met?
“I assess post-operative wounds, perform removal of sutures, wires, back slabs and apply appropriate dressings to manage wounds. I coordinate the team and do the allocation to ensure the consultants have the appropriate rooms to run their clinic. I manage the healthcare assistants, the students and the nursing associates.”
What does your typical working day look like?
“Every day is different. I start the shift by checking the resuscitation trolleys, checking the clinics are staffed and coordinating the department if my name is allocated for that role.”
What made you want to become a nurse?
“From a young age I always wanted to be a nurse, I was also in the British Red Cross, which I enjoyed.”
What attracted you to your current role?
“To be a hands-on nurse again after semi-retiring from my management role in the community. To perform wound care to the highest standard. I love the role, the pace, and the different aspects of each shift.”
Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
“I don’t think I could single out one individual. Overall, I think I would have to say my patients, because they are what the job is all about. I have taken immense satisfaction from being able to give them the care that is needed to help them get better or to play a part in improving their quality of life through times of struggle.”
What do you enjoy most about your role?
“Patient contact. Ultimately, it is what this job is all about, and there is nothing more satisfying as seeing a patient making progress and then being able to live a healthier, happier life. It is why I wanted to become a nurse in the first place, and that love for helping people has stayed with me through every stage of my career”
What’s been the stand-out moment in your career so far?
“Gaining all my qualifications during my nursing career. Those were significant achievements for me, and something I can look back on with pride.”
What are your ambitions for the future?
“After 50 years as a nurse, I am not looking at career progression anymore, but equally I’m not ready to stop just yet. My plan is to work within the department where I am now for the next two years and then to retire gracefully.”
What advice would you give to someone who wanted a job like yours?
“There are so many opportunities out there for nurses these days, and I look at some of those just entering the profession and almost wish I could have my time again. I would say to any new nurse to embrace your nursing role and take every opportunity to go further in your nursing career, and to always be professional and polite.”
Career file
Name: Jane Ann Morgan
Job title: Staff nurse, main outpatients
Employer: The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Main responsibilities: Coordinating, wound management, Supporting other team members
Salary (or range/band): Band 5
Average hours worked: 26 hours per week
Career history: Staff nurse/team leader, community, Wrexham and Shropshire (1998–2015); enrolled nurse staff nurse, Chirk Hospital (1979-1998), enrolled nurse, spinal injuries, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (18 months); enrolled nurse, Wrexham Hospital (6 months)
Qualifications: Registered nurse level 2; registered nurse adult; special practitioner district nurse; community practitioner nurse prescriber; MSc lecturer/practice educator