My first day on a ward in 1970 as a nurse was with Brenda as we pushed each other nervously through the doors of Ward 28 into the smells of disinfectant and our shock at nurses eating chocolates at 8am!
There I helped looked after an old lady or rather she looked after me encouraging me. It was so sad seeing her after she died. My first and still in my memory.

Night shifts came round with the need to remember all the patients names and diagnosis for the night sister’s rounds. Tea and toast hastily popped into a drawer when the outer doors opened.

Breaks on nights in the Red Home to meet up with friends and chat. On my 21st birthday they laid on a wee party during our break!

Night shifts in oral surgery were scary as all the patients slept and the ward was in the basement. So quiet. Fortunately a security man paid regular visits and the floors clonked as they headed down the corridor warning of their arrival.

Walking into a ward kitchen in the middle of the night and a mouse seemed to fly in its scarper to safety!

Nerve wracking shifts in Accident and Emergency wondering what the next ambulance would bring. The squawk box alerting us to an imminent arrival.

The strongest tea ever made by kind portering staff when a break was very unlikely on a busy night. I was once told by a senior nurse I shouldn’t mix with portering staff however they were definitely worth keeping in with!

Ward 20 as a student then as ward sister where numerous doors made it easy for confused patients to escape. There was never a dull moment there. So many sad cases of families in crisis but also wonderful recoveries too.

Stryker frames for spinal injured patients, confused patients, families in crisis, sometimes scared and anxious staff too all bring strong memories of this cutting edge unit.

The amazing futurist theatres where you could observe from directly above the surgeons as they operated delicately on patients.

The fabulous staff everywhere, but ward 20 was very special.

Case notes from neurological cases were stored up in the clock tower. Norman Dott instigated this and I enjoyed reading his beautiful and clear writing in the notes.

Walking through the duodenum corridor from surgical to medical was downhill-much harder on the return journey. Of course there was the outdoor option across the open rooftop corridor.

Then of course there was the beautiful chapel where is was lucky enough to be married by Reverend Stewart MacGregor. A very very special day for me and my husband.

The Royal Infirmary was a bustling city in itself and for 20 years was the centre of my life through my training and work. Being a Pelican nurse is a privilege.

Just writing this has brought so many strong memories back. Thank you!