"I always wanted a career that was people orientated, had flexibility and various career pathways. I loved the thought that a nurse could work in such varied settings from a ward in a hospital, to schools, to international aid settings and in corporate careers. My mum was a nurse, so I also had a little bit of insight into what it was all about. But I probably didn't really understand my passion for it, and particularly for oncology nursing, until I was out on clinical placement. Peter Mac and oncology nursing embodied what I'd been learning at university - looking after a whole person and their family and not just a disease."
What was your path into nursing?
"I started my undergraduate nursing degree and then moved into a double degree in psychology. Psychology should be part of all undergraduate nursing degrees as it complements what you are learning well. I completed my degree and then started work at Peter Mac for my graduate year in 2011 and the following year I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship through Peter Mac to do the graduate certificate in oncology nursing and palliative care. That’s something that really helped me both career-wise and with the patient care I deliver.
I then started working towards becoming a nurse in charge and an opportunity came up for an Associate Nurse Unit Manager role, so I did that in 2013/2014, took a year off in 2015 and then came back when Peter Mac was relocating to the current centre, so it was full steam ahead. There was an incredible amount of preparation, planning and training to facilitate the move. Both patients and staff experienced enormous change but demonstrated such resilience through the challenges and it was such a unique learning opportunity for me as a developing manager.
Then in 2017 I started a job share position as the Nurse Unit Manager on 5A, so I do two days a week as the NUM. I've also just put in some applications for further post graduate study in health leadership and management."
What's it like working at Peter Mac?
"It’s more than just a job. The first time I walked into Peter Mac I knew there was something culturally unique and special about the place - a real sense of community. There's not a day that I wake up and think ‘ugh, do I have to go to work?’ That's special. I've got a lot of friends who are nurses at other organisations and nursing is a very different experience for them."
What are you most proud of in your nursing career so far?
"I would say becoming a Nurse Unit Manager, as I'm in a position where I can help to effect change and advocate not only for our patients but also our staff. I feel immensely proud to see the exceptional care our nursing team delivers to patients and their families daily."
What would you say to a nurse considering a job at Peter Mac?
"Don’t miss the opportunity to join the Peter Mac team. You won’t regret it. There is an amazing culture of support, the opportunity to develop your career, a sense of team and the unique opportunity to support patients and their loved ones who are going through some of the most challenging times in their lives. It’s a really rewarding feeling to make a difference in patients’ lives, particularly when they are at their most vulnerable."