On her return to Sydney, she successfully applied for the position of Assistant Inspector of Hospitals in Wellington, and moved to New Zealand in 1906 to replace Grace Neill, who was retiring.

[3] As Assistant Inspector, with Jessie Bicknell and Amelia Bagley, she played a major role in the implementation of the Midwives Act 1904 and setting midwifery standards.

Maclean continued to operate the journal until her retirement in 1923; she then sold it to the Registered Nurses Association, but retained the position of editor until her death.

Maclean was elected the first national president and remained active in the organisation for the remainder of her life.

[9] In 1923, Maclean retired from the Department of Health and wrote her autobiography, Nursing in New Zealand, which was published in 1932.

[15] After her death a number of her watercolour sketches were sold to benefit the Registered Nurses' Association.