Ever wondered what it’s like working in one of NSW’s most unique nursing specialties?

Gayle Van Zyl, a flight nurse in NSW Ambulance’s Fixed Wing Operations team gave us some insight into what happens when an aircraft becomes an extension of the hospital.

“I’m responsible for the nursing care and clinical management of patients who need aeromedical transport between hospitals and other health facilities,” said Gayle.

These patients are generally seriously ill or injured.

“Working in a small aircraft, where the weather can be unpredictable, can be very challenging,” she said.

“That being said, it’s also very rewarding. I’ve been fortunate to visit different parts of the state, while supporting patients on the journey to their destination.

“Every day is different from the next. One day you may be providing neonatal care to a baby, while another you may be providing cardiac care to a patient.”

Gayle said she is particularly proud of the impact her role has on patients living in remote parts of NSW, where access to nearby healthcare can often be more limited than in metropolitan areas.

Meet Birra Li midwives, Janaya and Maddi from Hunter New England Local Health District.

Janaya, a proud Biripi woman, has been a registered midwife for seven years. At Birra Li, she provides antenatal, postnatal, and child and family health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families living on Worimi and Awabakal country.

“Our service is very culturally focused. Working with women and families making big health changes for the better is inspiring - it shows the strength and resilience of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Janaya said.

With four generations of nurses in Monica Dales’ family, it’s clear that the profession runs in her bloodline.

Now a Disaster Manager in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Monica said that nursing is not what she originally wanted to do.

“It wasn’t until my final year at school that I decided to become a nurse. I don’t remember why, I just remember it was what I needed to do,” said the third-generation nurse.

“No matter the reason, it was probably one of my best and most life-changing decisions. I have never regretted my choice of career and cherish the many mother-daughter nursing stories that I have had and will continue to have with my mum and daughter.”

“When the three of us get together, there is never a boring moment or a lapse in conversation. We laugh and sometimes cry, as we reflect on each of our nursing experiences, be they recent or more than 20 years ago,” she said.

Monica said that although the profession has changed a lot since her grandma and mum worked as nurses, the best piece of advice that her mum has given her has always stayed the same.

“My mum would always say to be kind and compassionate to my patients as this is my duty as a nurse. Working in a non-clinical role now, I still apply those same qualities in the way I work and interact with others.”

What is it like being a regional nurse?

Two nurses that swapped big city buildings for the bush share what makes working as a nurse in the regions so special.

Sydney to Bombala

“In a small community like Bombala or Delegate, patients get to know their nurse on a personal level. I’ve received some great suggestions of local walks and nearby towns to discover.

It can be a highly rewarding experience for nurses who are willing to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with it.”

Nurses at multipurpose services in rural areas need the ability to work in different settings, from emergency rooms to aged care.

“For those willing to take on these challenges, there is the unique opportunity to develop a diverse set of skills and make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients.”

Jarda Kyral, Registered Nurse, Bombala Multipurpose Service, Southern NSW Local Health District (Left). 

Canberra to Milton

“I worked in Canberra after university but coming back to Milton was always my goal. Working in a regional hospital with a smaller team is really rewarding and I love the variety of work.

I also enjoy the lifestyle and sense of community in Milton - living close to the beach and countryside and knowing everyone in town.

My dog Charlie loves it as much as I do. I take him to the beach before my shift, then I come to work, which is five minutes up the road and only one set of traffic lights!”

Britt Shephard, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Milton Ulladulla Hospital, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

When people hear “palliative care,” they often only think of death.

When Sharon Defranceschi, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, started her nursing career, she didn’t really understand what it was either.

Ahead of National Palliative Care Week next week (21-27 May), she’s highlighting what it really means to provide palliative care.

For Sharon, it was one very special patient who gave her a new perspective and led her to discovering a unique field of nursing.

Sharon now works in the Broken Hill Palliative Care Service in the Far West Local Health District.

“I recall caring for an elderly lady who I adored. She had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, but she had spunk,” said Sharon.

After a bad fall, the patient was to remain at a residential aged care facility for end-of-life care.

“I felt upset and angry, and couldn’t understand why the family had given up on her,” said Sharon.

“Then I realised this was about her, not how I felt. It was about her goals of care and her comfort. This was her journey and we needed to honour her and her wishes.”

“I told her I was here and would walk this path with her,” she said.

“Today I am a palliative care nurse and I choose to walk alongside those who need me. I do this in honour of that special patient I cared for all those years ago.”

Madison Miller is a Registered Nurse and Midwife at Temora Health Service, Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

Madison loves helping women through what she feels is one of the most important moments in their life.

“Being present for such an important and special moment is extremely rewarding,” Madison says.

Madison enjoys working in Temora because she can utilise all her skills.

“A rural setting affords me the opportunity to use a wide range of skills and allows me to work across different areas of health. No two days are the same and we really are able to spend quality time with our patients.

“I find that the women we work with really do appreciate our time and the effort we show when caring for them,” Madison said.

Name: Sarah-Kathleen Colliss

Role: Lead Nurse, Nunyara Aboriginal Health, Central Coast Local Health District and winner of Aboriginal Nurse/Midwife of the Year at the 2022 NSW Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

Now, let’s get to know you a little better…

What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you?
Loyal, perspicacious and verbose.

Last great TV show or movie you watched?
Crimson Rivers.

Favourite book or podcast?
Persuasion.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?Gardening.

“We also collaborate with the people and teams who refer patients to us; with other District services and with non-District agencies to ensure comprehensive, ongoing care for our patients.”

Donna described being named the 2022 Nursing Team of the Year as an “amazing achievement.”

“We’re so thankful for the acknowledgement for the work that we do every day,” she said.

“We came together and thought 'what can we do that is modern, helpful, and will be liked by young people?' and that is when I came up with the idea of the wristband.”

Through hours of volunteer work by many committee members, a silicone wristband was developed with a QR code that, when scanned with a phone, directs young people to the 'Head to Health' website.

The website provides young people with a range of resources related to mental health, including how to access support services, manage stress and anxiety, and maintain good mental health practices.

Read more about Garth's volunteer work and find out how he is helping support the youth of rural NSW.

Garth Hungerford from Murrumbidgee Local Health District won Volunteer of the Year at the 2022 NSW Health Awards. (Left)

The reason why nurses love the work they do is different for every nurse.

For International Nurses Day last Friday (12 May), we asked some nurses across NSW Health about their reasons.

Michelle, a nurse from Tamworth, said she loves her role because it's somewhere she can really give back to her community.

When Amy Loveday walks through the door (or gate) at work, she sees patients in the yards kicking a ball, having a chat, or playing cards.

It’s hard for her to walk too far without a patient calling out her name and checking how her day is going. Cards and notes from patients she has worked with one on one line the walls.

This is what being a Nursing Unit Manager in a correctional setting in the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network is like.

"I think what really interests me and gives a high degree of job satisfaction in this role is how we interact with patients to achieve the best possible outcomes," said Amy. 

"Often when patients are received from the community they are highly vulnerable, can sometimes be detoxing, resistant to care and on some occasions can be aggressive. In this role we really need to be able to liaise with and gain trust from patients to allow us to deliver care."

Amy Loveday is a Nursing Unit Manager in the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network. 

Edith Castro has been exploring the “infinite possibilities of life” while being there for others and serving the community as part of the NSW Health Deployment Program.

The Registered Nurse from the Northern Sydney Local Health District has travelled all over regional NSW doing what she loves – nursing.

“Everyone has been saying thank you for your help – but it truly was a blessing for me to be part of the community,” she said.

“I feel more connected and enriched by the experience. I feel more human, the entire experience was extremely mind-opening and a real adventure at the same time.”

We are currently looking for enrolled nurses, registered midwives and registered nurses to join the deployment program. Are you looking for your next career opportunity?

For more information, contact us and continue reading Edith’s story of how her deployment has turned into her dream career.

From the Critical Intelligence Unit 

The Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) Evidence Digest is transitioning to be more focused on significant advances and innovations in healthcare, rather than limited to the topic of COVID-19.

The first edition of the new style digest covers articles on cognitive functional therapy for back pain, and screening and treatment of gestational diabetes.

To receive the new, reformulated digest in your inbox on Wednesday mornings, please subscribe.