So Long Sue!

Susan Milne, Team Leader for NHS Forth Valley’s Community Children’s Nursing Service has retired following 41 years with the NHS.

Susan started her nursing career in 1974 at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, and became a paediatric staff nurse on completion of her training in 1978. She then moved to Glasgow to train as a midwife and worked in Yorkhill Hospital in a paediatric staffing post before becoming sister in ITU and Accident and Emergency.

In 1984, she joined the children’s ward at Falkirk District and Royal infirmary as a Sister, before taking a short break to have family and returning a year later as a part-time staff nurse.

In 1996, Susan played an integral role in the development of the NHSFV Community Children’s Nursing service and completed a community children’s nursing qualification in speciality the same year. Since then she has worked as a team lead within the community children’s nursing team.

Throughout her 40 years of nursing Susan has witnessed many changes including advances in technology and medical support which have radically improved the outcomes for many premature babies and young children. She has also seen many changes to uniforms and nursing practice.

Susan was kind enough to send us some pictures of her early nursing career, include her first uniform complete with frilly hat that she remembers fondly!