Robb was the last matron of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and steered nursing services across the city during the height of The Troubles.

Robb was an advocate for the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and was a board member for 20 years.

[2] After completing her orthopaedic training in England, Kathleen Robb became the sister at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast fracture clinic.

[1] Robb was a member of the Royal Victoria Nurses League and was elected as acting president in 1967, as her colleague Florence Elliot was moving to Australia.

Robb's work had on an international dimension and she furthered her knowledge in Canada, the United States, Israel, and Finland.