Teresa Jackson always dreamed of becoming a nurse and 61 years after starting her career at Grimsby hospital she can still be found tirelessly caring for her patients.
She wanted to become a nurse from the age of nine and had a lot of experience in bandaging her dog and baby sister, although it was not always appreciated by them!
Fast forward to 2024, and the 77-year-old is still dedicating her life to caring for others and has no immediate plans to retire.
Born in North Hykeham, Lincoln, Teresa left school at 16 and started as a cadet nurse at Grimsby General Hospital living in the accommodation across the road. She started her nurse training in 1965 which was split between the Grimsby General Hospital and Scartho Road hospitals so she could experience all the specialties.
Teresa said: “By the time I completed my training I knew I wanted to nurse within surgery. I became a staff nurse on a general surgical ward, and In April 1971 I became the youngest ward sister. I also became an approved examiner for the General Nursing Council in 1972.”
The mum of three switched to working nights on the Special Care Baby Until after the birth of her first child, which is where she stayed until 1983 when she returned to general nursing as a staff nurse working for 12 months on a ward for the elderly.
“The main consultant I worked for specialised in both breast and colorectal which I loved, and he gave me so much support and autonomy while working with him. During this time, I started the pre-assessment of surgical patients. I had a wonderful volunteer who worked with me, making patients cups of tea and biscuits as we often carried out these clinics after normal working hours to accommodate those who otherwise would have had to take time off work.
“From there I returned to what I love most, a surgical ward. I became a night sister and progressed to night site manager and remained in this role until 1995 when I became one of the first Clinical Nurse Practitioners in Surgery in Grimsby.
“The consultant retired in 2014, and I became a clinical nurse specialist in colorectal and stoma care. I now specialise in stoma care. The best thing about my job is being part of a team, the camaraderie of my colleagues, the autonomy and helping people adjust to having a stoma.
“It can often prove difficult mentally and physically for people to adjust to a stoma, as they are complete life changers. Thankfully, thanks to the media they are becoming more easily accepted.”
Looking back on her career her fondest memories include passing her nurse finals, and when the invite to a garden party at Buckingham Palace landed on her doormat. “My line manager put my name forward and I was flabbergasted to receive the invite. It was a such a special day being at the palace with the late Queen, Prince William, and Princess Kate. The food was amazing and even had little crowns on the sandwiches, everything was just so posh.”
Her drive and passion to care for other people is testament to the core of being a nurse – care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment.” Amanda Stanford, Group Chief Nurse
Reminiscing about how nursing has changed over the year Teresa said: “Nursing was vastly different back in the 1960s. We started our day by damp dusting all lockers, window ledges and backs of the beds. We didn’t have all the equipment available today, nursing was patient-orientated not machine-orientated.
“A patient’s stay in hospital was so very much longer and in each bedside locker there was an ashtray as patients were allowed to smoke. All patients had bed baths, thus giving time to really get to know your patients, listening and talking with them as you helped them wash.”
Teresa added: “I have had the privilege to meet so many wonderful people. Patients are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, they are human beings, so often frightened, in pain, sometimes dying, a nurse is a highly trained professional, there to give comfort and help ease their journey, and that of their loved ones, however that journey may end.
“When I am asked, do I intend to retire, of course. But as to when or how much longer I will continue who knows! If I can continue to carry out my role to the satisfaction of my patients and colleagues then I shall continue, but sadly the more computer work involved the nearer retirement approaches.”
Amanda Stanford, Group Chief Nurse at Humber Health Partnership, the organisation running Hull University Teaching Hospitals and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation Trust, paid tribute to Teresa.
Amanda said: “She has spent her entire career caring for our patients at Grimsby hospital and I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to Teresa for everything she’s done for us and the people we look after.
“After clocking up an impressive 61 years working as a nurse, she will have seen first hand a myriad of advances in new treatments and technologies. Her drive and passion to care for other people is testament to the core of being a nurse – care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment.”