Nurse still working at age of 83 says NHS is a ‘huge part of my life’

Monica Bulman has been working as a nurse for 64 years and says she doesn't want to retire

Nurse Monica Bulman celebrated her 83rd birthday last week (Torbay and South Devon Health and Care NHS Trust)

A nurse who celebrated her 83rd birthday last week said she has continued working for the NHS because she “didn’t want to” retire.

Monica Bulman, who works in the endoscopy unit at Torbay Hospital in Devon, entered the profession 64 years ago at the age of 19.

“The NHS has been a huge part of my life and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she said.

“I love my job, each and every part of it. Being a nurse brings me so much pleasure and keeps me on my toes.”

“I’m always happy at work – I just don’t have down days when I’m at work,” she added.

Ms Bulman, who is originally from Sailsbury and has three grandchildren, spends 15-20 hours each week in the ward.

And she has no plans to retire, saying she hopes to “keep going for as long as I am able."

Monica Bulman in 1957, the year she qualified as a nurse (Torbay and South Devon Health and Care NHS Trust)

She started working as a State Enrolled Nurse at Eltham hospital in south London in 1952, just four years after the NHS was founded.

When she qualified as a State Registered Nurse, now known as a Registered General Nurse, in 1957, she received a salary of just £12 a month.

Over the years Ms Bulman, who turned 83 on 1 September, has seen many changes, including to the uniforms.

"Nursing has changed a lot over the years, especially the technology, which is wonderful - unless it breaks down," she said.

"Although we now have much more paperwork to complete, it is fantastic that with the technology we can now look up our patient's X-rays and test results at the click of a button, rather than having lengthy waits for the information.

"Another change that amuses me is that years ago the theatre nurses, who were all gowned up, had to manually thread the needles for surgery, whereas now these all come in packs, pre-threaded.

"The uniforms have also changed considerably although I have to admit I did prefer our old uniforms, they were much more glamorous.

"I bought a belt to wear with my uniform when I qualified in 1957 - I still have and wear the very same belt to this day."

83-year-old nurse Monica Bulman with her colleagues in the 1950s (Torbay and South Devon Health and Care NHS Trust)

After qualifying at St John’s hospital in north west London Mrs Bulman stayed there to work as a staff nurse as well as a theatre nurse until she left in 1959.

Since then, she worked at a number of different hospitals until moving in 1968 to Torquay with her husband Lesley, who passed away last year, and their two sons.

She worked at a nursing agency until 1978, when Ms Bulman started to work at Paignton Community Hospital in casualty as well as for outpatient departments.

Monica celebrating her 83rd birthday with her colleagues at Torbay Hospital (Torbay and South Devon Health and Care NHS Trust)

Reaching retirement age in 1998, she was asked to work casually as a 'bank' nurse at Torbay Hospital for a few weeks and nearly 20 years later she is yet to leave.

"My job has kept me going and helped me through some of the toughest times in my life,” she said.

“I don't know what I would have done without my colleagues and a job where I can dedicate myself to caring for others”

Ms Bulman regularly attends the gym and spinning classes at Torbay Leisure Centre. She is also an avid reader as well as a keen member of a local skittles club.

She said: "I do like to keep fit and healthy, but I also like to be 'glam' - I enjoy going to my local beauty salon as well as doing all my hobbies.

"Most of all though I love spending time with my family and my grandchildren; this is what I enjoy the most."