Her career could have taken a different path if it wasn't for the care factor.

``I had the grades to probably go and do medicine but from what I saw, with visits to GPs and things like that, there wasn't that nurturing or communication that I wanted to do,'' she said.

``So I went with nursing and I've never regretted one day.''

The Youngtown resident has spent 27 years at the LGH including 11 years in the emergency department, eight of those as the nurse unit manager.

Helping to introduce nurse practitioners, which she discovered on an overseas study tour, is one of her lasting achievements.

The LGH emergency department now has a full-time nurse practitioner, a special level of nurse who can initiate treatment, prescribe medication and work autonomously.

During her time at the LGH the hospital-trained Ms Dakin also completed a nursing degree at the University of Tasmania.

Ms Dakin started her career as an auxiliary nurse at Wynyard before moving to the North West Regional Hospital to complete her training.

She said her decision to retire will allow her to spend more time with her grandchildren.

``I'm quite happy to see the redevelopment completed because it's been a big project over a long period of time and now that's done I feel happy enough to leave,'' she said.

However, she admits making the decision hasn't been easy given the lasting friendships she's made.

``I've always said that the staff that work with me, I'm not their boss, I'm really the mum of the team,'' she said.

``I've got lasting friendships here and I've had huge support from all the staff in this unit.

``I've enjoyed every moment.''