After five decades of caring for others, Buderim Private Hospital nurse Robyn Arthur is hanging up her chart and retiring.
Ms Arthur always knew she wanted to be a nurse - from the age of three, she was using band aids to patch up her siblings' injuries.
She has spent the past 12 years working at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, and said she had loved every minute of it.
"What I'm going to miss most in retirement is caring for patients, being part of the hospital team and mentoring newly-graduated nurses," she said.
"It is beautiful to see the blossoming of young nurses starting out in their career and personally understanding the rewards they will reap over decades to come.
"I will also miss my nursing colleagues very much. I think they deserve a medal for all that they do for our patients, our doctors and each other."
During her 50-year career, Ms Arthur has experienced almost every nursing specialty including midwifery, paediatrics and caring for patients in intensive care, as well as helping patients recovering from surgery, and complex medical conditions.
Born in Kingaroy in rural Queensland, she began her nursing journey at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane at age 17 and graduated from her nursing in training degree in 1975.
Later in her career, she completed her midwifery training at St John of God Hospital with further studies at Edith Cowan and Murdoch universities, earning her additional degrees in nursing and education.
After living and working Western Australia for 32 years, she returned to Queensland, joining the team at Buderim Private Hospital.
General Manager Karen Clark said the hospital team was very proud of Ms Arthur's incredible achievement and the amazing contribution she had made to patients and their families during her time at Buderim.
"Robyn has cared for many thousands of people during her career and I'm sure the memories of caring for these patients and the positive difference she has made will bring her great comfort and joy for the rest of her life," she said.
"We congratulate Robyn for everything she has achieved and wish her all the very best in retirement."
Ms Arthur said she could not have asked for a better career.
"When I worked my last couple of shifts, my colleagues were so lovely and considerate of my needs and ensured that I was able to spend as much time with my patients as possible, which was my greatest wish," she said.
