Barbara May worked as an infection control nurse at a very small rural hospital in NSW. She held the combined role of Registered Nurse and Infection Control nurse from 1990 to 1994 at which time she undertook short courses in Infection Control. She then worked at a NSW Base hospital and in 1995 became the full-time Infection Control Nurse. This role grew to include both the Hospital and the Area Health Service. In 2003 she took the position of North Coast Area Health Service, Infection Control Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC). In 2007 she held the position of Acting President of the NSW Infection Control Association Inc. until September when she became the President.

