Nurse celebrates half a century in the job

Jean Angus began nursing in October 1974

A nurse says she has no plans to retire despite celebrating 50 years in the job.

Jean Angus, 68, began work at North Tees General Hospital, as it was then, in Stockton-on-Tees on 7 October 1974.

She served in the Army reserves during the first Iraq War, but has been based at the same hospital, now the University Hospital of North Tees, ever since.

Ms Angus said: "I love being a nurse, it's who I am."

Ms Angus, from Middlesbrough, has spent most of her five decades working in surgery, but is now head of nursing education for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

She says the hospital has changed "beyond recognition" but attributed her long career to "the people I work with who made it a difficult place to leave".

Jean Angus began working at the University Hospital of North Tees six years after it opened

"I still have the same enthusiasm that I did when I first qualified," she said. "I am so lucky.

"Over the last 50 years I think I have seen it all, but this job can still surprise you every day."

Ms Angus remains committed to helping train future generations of nurses.

"I’ll retire when I stop enjoying the job but there is still just too much to do," she said.

Ward matron Emma Watson said: "Jean is such a valuable asset and 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."