After more than seventy years of loyal service, Florence “SeeSee” Rigney has finally retired.
The one who was considered the longest-serving nurse in the United States ended her career on July 16 at the age of 96.
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It was the Multicare Hospital in Tacoma in Washington State where she worked that announced the departure of the nonagenarian in a statement.
She worked there as a nurse in the operating room where she was in charge of the positioning and preparation of the patients.
Passed through Texas and Wyoming, the mother of two is described as a woman
"always active, frequently walking more than three miles or more
.
"
"She was always the first to embark on a task,"
says the hospital.
"Never think you know everything"
If this time, Florence "SeeSee" Rigney has indeed decided to hang up her blouse, the nurse had already tried to retire, in vain. At 65, she had thus submitted her application to her employer but had finally returned to service after six months full-time. She had finally gone part-time for the past two years, still preparing for operating theaters. The one who has crossed the ages and seen many medical advances, such as penicillin, to develop her profession used to say:
"Never think that you know everything (...) You never stop learning"
.
In tribute to its most loyal employee and
"in gratitude to the nursing profession"
, the hospital has created a scholarship dedicated to learning the profession and intended for students and employees of the establishment who
"would like pursue a career ”
in this industry.
“Everyone at MultiCare thanks SeeSee for their unparalleled dedication and service, and we are proud to honor them by supporting the nurses of tomorrow,”
the statement said. Florence “SeeSee” Rigney will now be able to enjoy her family and friends.