Can you introduce yourself briefly?
I am a Division 1 Registered Nurse and Independent Nurse Immuniser working at the Station Street Clinic within a team of exceptional managers, receptionists, nurses and doctors.
Every day is different and holds its own unknown challenges.
We attend to immunisations of all ages (babies are my favourite of course), wound care, assessments, procedures and minor surgeries – whatever a patient needs for optimal care.
Congratulations on marking 30 years in nursing! How does it feel to have reached such an amazing milestone?
I knew from the age of 4 that I wanted to be a nurse, I am proud of the difference I can make for patients and the way they take onboard my knowledge and advice and trust me.
30 years has flown by, so many wonderful and sad memories, but I consider it a privilege to be able to assist patients and their families when they need it the most.
How long have you worked at the Station Street Clinic for/ are you from Pakenham originally?
I moved to Pakenham three and a half years ago and started working at the Station Street Clinic.
I’m Melbourne born, but my nursing has allowed me to work around Australia.
What do you like most about working as a nurse in the local community?
The connections with people and the ability to give the patients knowledge to assist in the care they need.
It takes a broad, deep knowledge base to be an effective general practice nurse and [you need] a fantastic team around you.
I am fortunate to love learning and thankful for the great team at the Station Street Clinic.
Do you remember what it was like when you first started out in the industry? How have you seen it change over the years?
I started under the watchful eyes of a matron and a nurse educator who was to be feared!!
When she would visit the ward, we would jump up on to the bed with the patient so she could not see our feet underneath the curtain!
I was one year into the job and in charge of night duty shifts in an Accident and Emergency overflow unit, I have no idea how I survived.
Technology is the biggest change, lots of equipment now to do tasks which we did manually.
Do you have any memorable moments from your career? (Happy, sad or unusual..?)
I have many funny stories from my A & E days, some I still shake my head at – maggots under dentures, gun shot victims being literally thrown from moving cars at the door, interesting things attached to bodies.
But mostly I remember the patients, their looks of fear, gratefulness, understanding, struggle and thankfulness.
Throughout my 30 years I have helped babies come into the world and seen people die – each and every moment is a privilege to be a part of.
How your nursing experience is, is dependent upon the team you are in.
Good teams look out for one another, know when you are struggling and understand a bad day – yet can still make you smile.
Did you ever think you would be working through a global pandemic in your career? And what has it been like lately? We imagine you’ve been under the pump!
No! I could not dream up the scenario of the ‘Year Of The Nurse’ being celebrated by a pandemic, we all want a refund on that one!
It has been hectic, challenging, lots of education on weekends and at night to keep up with the zillion changes to care and vaccines.
The Station Street Clinic team have worked so well together to ensure calm and fantastic patient care in the midst of it all.
What is the best piece of advice you could give to a young nurse starting out today?
It is OK to not know everything.
Ask, observe, do education, be a sponge and absorb all that you experience.
But always be confident in front of the patient, they rely on you at that moment.
Good manners go a long way, even when confronted with rudeness.
Always stay calm. It is not a job, it is the most amazing life journey.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep on learning, enjoying the job and making a difference to someone each day.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am privileged to work with Nell at the moment.
We bounce ideas off one another and can laugh at each other.
My partner calls her my ” work wife “.
She cares deeply for the Station Street Clinic team and our patients.
In many ways Nell and I are ying and yang, so both of us celebrating our 30 years of nursing in the same year seems fitting.
I look forward to many more challenging moments and assisting our patients.
My passion is definitely childhood immunisations.
I adore the trust and respect parents have when coming to us with their babies.
My aim is always to make it a good experience for the parent and the baby/child and to ensure the parent has all the information they need to make decisions and feel comfortable.
My automated bubble machine helps too!
