Contact: Jodie.snyder@bannerhealth.com
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SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. (JUne 19, 2019) -- Nina Clark is 92 years old and works three days a week and doesn’t see what the fuss is all about.
Clark, a registered nurse, works at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, in the preadmissions department, calling to remind people of upcoming surgeries.
Clark, who also lives in Sun City West, sees coming to work as being routine as another day on the job.
Overall, 255,000 Americans 85 years old or older were working over the past 12 months. That's 4.4 percent of Americans that age, up from 2.6 percent in 2006, according to The Washington Post. It’s the highest level it ever has been.
“I have told them when I am not doing my job, let me know,’’ said Clark. “But they haven’t said anything, so I am still coming in.’’
In 1948, Clark graduated from nursing school as nurses were in demand because of World War II, Over the years, her career alternated between nursing and retail and some other jobs in between. She has always worked and says that she’s not that interested in leisure-time activities.
She came to Arizona in 1985 and began working at what is now Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center when it opened in 1988. At that time the hospital and Sun City West, were way out in the country. Nurses were so scarce that the hospitals relied on nurses from Prescott for staffing.
Clark worked on all kinds of nursing units, but she preferred medical/surgical unit. In her current role, she gets to answer patients’ questions about upcoming procedure. “Well, I have the experience and can talk with them about any questions they may have. I have been told I have a reassuring voice.’’
Clark credits “good genes’’ as one of the reasons for her longevity. Her mother passed away at age 98; her father was still enjoying golf when he passed at 89.
She maintains a healthy lifestyle: walking her two rescue dogs every day, eating a salad for lunch and loving chocolate.
Her advice for others who want to keep working or enjoying their loves: “Just keep doing what you do, ’she says. “Just do the next thing.’’