Released on Valentines Day 2026, Fiona Sinclair’s connection with nursing and Princess Alexandra Hospital has been written in the history books as one of the greatest love stories the profession has told.
After 43 years at PAH, from her training year in 1983 to retirement (officially in May), it is clear that Fiona has a deep affection for PAH and a remarkable connection to the teams she has worked in.
“PA was always my first choice! It is a great place to work, I just love it; it is vibrant and exciting,” she said.
“It was always regarded as the best place to work and PA is also very technologically advanced so it continues to be the cutting-edge destination for advancing your nursing career.”
A valued member of the Spinal Injuries Unit nursing team for 25 years, Fiona had a stint as the manual handling project trainer to induct staff into the use of the new hoists before making the move into her Clinical Nurse HR role in the Surgical Care Unit (SCU) for the past five years.
“When you work in an ecosystem such as Surgical Care, there is such a close bond with shared lives and experiences and a commitment to caring for each other every day,” Fiona said.
She attests to a history of staff remaining within the high performing unit for long career stretches which is a tribute to the culture they have developed and continue to foster across the nursing cohort.
Aside from the digital hospital transformation of PA Hospital in 2016, Fiona said her most significant challenge was the change in long length-of-stay nursing care in the Spinal Injuries Unit compared to the very short-term interactions with patients in Surgical Care before they progress to theatre.
But she said this is the key to a fulfilling nursing career.
“Keep challenging yourself and enjoy your career,” she advises the next generation. “I embraced the changes and the different opportunities as they came about. You can’t fight change, be part of the change!”
She acknowledges that breaking the 43-year cycle of coming to PAH every week will be her next challenge, but the foundation of friendship within the team will sustain the relationships for years to come.
Congratulations on your retirement, Fiona!