A senior nurse, described by colleagues as a ‘great nurturer of staff’ has retired after 37 years with the NHS in Forth Valley. Norma Pringle began her working career in 1979 as a student nurse and her first post was in medical services at Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary. There, together with others, she was instrumental in setting up procedures for the acute assessment of patients.
Norma continued to work in medical services and in the late 2000s went back to university to complete her degree, which was quite a challenge. She wanted to study because she felt it would be better for patients in the receiving unit if she could practise advanced care. She was asked to take on an Advanced Practitioner role but she missed working with patients and staff, who she regarded as her family, so returned to the acute assessment unit.
Norma was presented with a voucher from staff to help purchase a ring which she had seen in a jewellers. Her other retirement gifts included champagne along with an inflatable walking stick and a zimmer frame!
