Looking back on her first job at Burnie Hospital, Mrs Grey recalled having to wear a “little blue dress” so that people knew she was university educated.

Now based at Launceston General Hospital, Mrs Grey was one of 30 healthcare professionals recently recognised for 25 years of continuous service. 

A respiratory nurse, Mrs Grey said she considers her job a “complete privilege”. 

“You become a nurse because, hopefully, you want to help other people,” she said. 

“And to make somebody's moment, at one point, easier. 

“You are there to ease their burden in some way. 

“It might be because you make them physically feel better, or maybe you just sit with them and hold their hand.

“Either way, you are making a difference.”

Graduating from the then Tasmania State Institute of Technology in 1991, Mrs Grey was one of the first university-trained group of nurses to work in the state. 

Securing her first job at Burnie Hospital in the orthopedic and surgical unit, she said there was definitely barriers to break through. 

“It was an interesting time for nurses coming from university, because it was a new concept,” she said. 

“Back then nurses had to wear white dresses, that was the standard uniform.

“But we had to wear a little blue dress so that people knew we were a university graduate. 

“It was just the time and the community expectations were often confronting.

“Now of course it is standard for nurses to be trained at university, but it definitely took a while for people to recognise that.” 

At the time, Mrs Grey said there was an abundance of newly trained nurses but only a limited number of jobs available in the state.

Fortunately for her, a chance encounter on the street would eventually lead her to securing a full time job at LGH. 

“I applied for a position in Launceston in an area with no experience,” she said. 

“I didn’t get it, but then I just happened to pass the assistant director of nursing in the street. 

“She offered me a 30 day contract and that turned into 25 years.” 

Starting out in oncology, in 2006 Mrs Grey was successful in obtaining a job as a respiratory consultant, which she maintains to this day. 

Looking back, she said her gratification come from knowing she is still servicing the community.

“That is something that hasn’t change, that feeling of service,” she said. 

“No matter what you take home, you put the uniform on and carry on with the job.”