A WOMAN who has been a nurse since she was 17 is celebrating an amazing 50 years in the profession.

Staff at Bellevue Group Practice spoke warmly yesterday about Jan Lewis, who first became a nurse in January 1967.

Suzanne Watts, senior practice nurse at Bellevue Group Practice, described her colleague as an “extremely warm” person.

She said: “She is fantastic at her job - she has a real connection with her patients.

“Jan is more than just a colleague she’s a friend.

“I’ve enjoy working with her and I just hope she’ll stay here for as long as she can.”

Mrs Lewis, who lives in Newport, said that she has “always wanted” to be a nurse since she was in school.

“Since I can remember the idea of becoming a nurse always appealed to me,” said Mrs Lewis.

“I’ve liked the idea of helping people and I suppose that is the main part of my job.”

The 67-year-old, who moved to Newport in 1971, received training at the Prince of Wales Orthopaedic Hospital and later trained as an orthopaedic nurse.

She later held jobs at various places, including Llanwern and St David’s Clinic, before joining her current practice.

Mrs Lewis said that she enjoys all aspects of the job and credited the job with helping her during a difficult period in life.

She said: “When my husband died a couple of years ago, my job gave me something to focus on and it really did help me.

“I love my job and I enjoy everything about it.

“The patients and the work team are the highlights of the job.”

Despite having worked 50 years in the same profession this month, Mrs Lewis insists she doesn’t “want any fuss”.

She said: “It is good news but I really don’t want any fussing over it.”

Mrs Lewis added: “I have been asked by people if I have plans to retire.

“Who knows what’s round the corner.

“I think the main part is that I’m doing what I enjoy most of all.”