As a little girl of six, Jennifer Calov-Dalton patched her brothers in bandages - pretending to be a nurse.
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Her dream came true 50 years ago and on Monday, November 25, the Denhams Beach nurse will mark half a century in the profession.
She began as a ward cadet, aged 16, at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney.
"It was a hospital-based certificate back then - now it's three or four years at university," she said.
Now, aged 66, she is a casual nurse for the Eurobodalla Health Service - and still loves it!
From cardiology to community health, Ms Calov-Dalton has worked in many fields.
"I have continued to do certificates and always maintained education," she said.
"Keeping on top of all the latest developments - it's a passion."
Changes in technology never fazed Ms Calov-Dalton.
"You learn it and you do it - you pick up things easy," she said.
"(However) I don't like technology that much; I am a true old fashioned nurse, I love patient care."
Ms Calov-Dalton never thought of leaving her profession.
"I just love it - it's me," she said.
She gets a kick out of meeting a diversity of people.
Her skills really mattered one day in Batemans Bay.
"I pulled in to a petrol station and saw police pulling a man out of a car," she said.
Everyone should learn CPR, the basics of life support ...
- Jennifer Calov-Dalton
Her nurse instincts kicked in.
"Do you need a hand?" she asked.
The policeman gratefully accepted as the man had gone into cardiac arrest.
With no equipment, Ms Calov-Dalton and the policeman performed CPR.
"We brought that man back," she said.
"Everyone should learn CPR, the basics of life support.
"You never know when you could need them."
Ms Calov-Dalton isn't ready to retire, although it's pencilled in her calendar for May next year.