Wendy Fetchet has long been described as the beating heart of Shoalhaven Hospital's emergency department.

But as she stepped away from 35 years as the ED's nursing unit manager, Ms Fetchet revealed she preferred to describe herself as "the engine room that kept the ship running".

However she does not like to say she has retired.

"I'm really not saying I'm retired, I'm saying that I've resigned from this section of my life," Ms Fetchet said.

"I'm sure I'll find something else that I'm going to get involved in," although that might be in a volunteer capacity.

However, "I'll still keep my interest in health - I've got a lot of expertise and knowledge, and I'm certainly still mentoring a lot of the staff," Ms Fetchet said.

While she is walking away from the hospital, Ms Fetchet has left

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