Maggie Ireland's 50 years in nursing

Maggie currently works on Ward 9A at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and she has been a gynae nurse for 40 years.

Her daughter said: "Her commitment and love for her job still show now, as she's still working at 72 and has barely ever had a day off sick. Her job is so important to her, and she is a fantastic nurse.”

Maggie began her career in 1975 as a pupil nurse in GRH in Southgate Street. As a qualified State Enrolled Nurse, she started a job in surgery on ward 10. She started in gynaecology in 1982 (initially on ward 6 then later, Russet, 2a and 9a) then a year later started working permanent nights.

In the early 2000s Maggie converted to a RGN. She continued working nights until in the last few years she has completed a mixture of days and night shifts. In 2012 Maggie ‘retired and returned’. During Covid Maggie became a roving nurse for gynaecology as we lost our ward and she then supported gynaecology patients and staff throughout the hospital. Maggie said: "I absolutely love my role as a nurse. Since I started nursing, my passion is the same today, as it was back then."

Here is some feedback from Maggie's patients and colleagues:

Friends and Family Test Feedback:

"Nurse Maggie you will stay with me forever, the most caring empathetic compassionate lady, I appreciate the love shown to me during such a difficult time.”

"Maggie was incredible when it came to level of care and overall admission experience.”

Managers Becky and Alex: "Maggie is a very kind and caring nurse and what Maggie doesn’t know about gynaecology is not worth writing about. She is also a force to be reckoned with and is usually right! She truly is a legend!"

Thank you Maggie for your 50 years of service and congratulations!