And despite turning 70 later this year, retirement is not yet on her agenda!
This Margaret McCracken who is celebrating an extraordinary milestone. She is marking 52 years in nursing and a long career dedicated to caring for countless patients.
Margaret began her nursing career in 1974 at the Royal Victoria Hospital, gaining invaluable experience on the wards during the Troubles before going on to hold a number of senior leadership roles within the voluntary sector, including Directorships with Mencap.
Despite her success outside frontline care, Margaret found herself drawn back to nursing.
She explained: “I missed the clinical side of nursing and I had started bank shifts at the Ulster Hospital. One of the permanent staff was going off on holidays and I was asked to cover for two weeks, 27 years later, I am still here!”
Now a valued member of the South Eastern Trust Fracture Clinic Team, Margaret says it is the people and the team spirit that have made her career at the Trust so rewarding.
Margaret said: “I just love the department and the whole set-up. I have made so many friends and this is a great place to work and we all work together as a team.
“The doctors, physiotherapists and nursing staff, everyone works together and we are friends as well as colleagues.”
Nursing has become a family tradition, with both Margaret’s daughter and son also choosing careers within the South Eastern Trust.
With thousands of students preparing to receive their exam results over the coming weeks, Margaret encouraged anyone considering a career in nursing to pursue their ambitions.
Margaret added: “It is great that nurses now qualify with a degree. It was not like that when I trained. I am a great believer in learning the basics first and always follow a career path and go as far as you think you are capable of.
“You have to care about people, enjoy what you do, be able to make decisions and work as part of a team.”
Set to mark another milestone in November when she turns 70, Margaret says retirement is not yet on her agenda: “I cannot see me going anytime soon unless they ask me to!
“I love working here in the Fracture Clinic and I look forward to caring for our patients every day.”
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