Sr Chanel Hardiman, who is in her late 70s, was honoured at a farewell function at Marinoto House, in Dunedin, last night.
She entered the Sister of Mercy's novice training in South Dunedin, aged 20, in 1953.
She told her guests much had changed during her career. Technology altered "everything", in terms of equipment used and the job's demands.
"Once we had to put thermometers in test tubes to sterilise them, and lift patients manually."
When Marinoto Clinic started, in 1990, nuns ran every department, including administration, the theatre, kitchen, and laundry.
She had been involved with developing the clinic, having travelled to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in 1987 to research possible hospital projects.
Sr Chanel said she was lucky to have had professional development opportunities in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.
She moved out of Marinoto in June - the last nun to do so - after taking up residence in 1969 as part of a group of nuns who staffed the new Mater Hospital (now known as Mercy).
Her favoured area of care had always been palliative. She also enjoyed visiting discharged patients.
Attending yesterday's farewell was the executive director of the Mercy International Association, Sr Mary Reynolds, of Dublin. Sr Mary said she was delighted she could combine her visit to New Zealand with the farewell.
By working in private health, the Sisters of Mercy aimed to bring the rich and the poor together, she said.
