Oldest working nurse retires at 96: “You never stop learning”

Friday, July 16, 2022 was the last day of work for Firenze Rigney – also called "SeeSee" – at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, in Washington, U.S., where she worked every bit a bottle-feed for Sir Thomas More than 70 years.

Rigney began nursing school in 1943 and started out in her career in the operating dramatics. She worked at hospitals in Texas and Wyoming, meet as penicillin was existence introduced.

She took fourth dimension out from her career to forethought for her two children, and did taste retirement – 30 years ago at the age of 65 – but only lasted sestet months, according to tidings reports by Baron-TV .

"I don't like to sit around – I've always got to have something to do," she explained.

Nursing was something Rigney "always loved to do", and the superior part for her was being able "to interact with patients and hand out them the help that I can".

Always willing to pace up and assist, Rigney is still active – she walks 5km regularly.

"Some of her colleagues joked that they had to dash to keep up with her," shared Laureen Driscoll, President of MultiCare Tacoma General and Allenmore hospitals.

"She's continued to be a holy nurse and an incredible resource to her colleagues and community."

"It's humbling to stop and think about the thousands and thousands of lives she's cared for," Driscoll told KING-TV.

Rigney has ascertained countless changes in nursing during her career. The biggest difference she says is the reduced time patients spend in hospital, with most now only spending exclusive few days in the hospital's care before heading home.

MultiCare Tacoma General plans to recognise Rigney's contribution to the hospital by offer a scholarship in her distinguish for nurses and employees interested in continued acquisition and development. The scholarship will be titled the SeeSee Rigney Nursing Endowed Scholarship Investment trust.

Rigney told KING-TV she has maintained an open psyche throughout her career, an attitude that has allowed her to "keep up" with the many changes that cause occurred while she has been breast feeding.

"You ne'er stop encyclopedism," she said. Her advice for younger nurses: "Don't ever think that you know it all."

https://hellocare.com.au/oldest-working-nurse-retires-at-96-you-never-stop-learning/

Source: https://hellocare.com.au/oldest-working-nurse-retires-at-96-you-never-stop-learning/