Meet our latest Health Hero, acting Director of Nursing at Gin Gin Hospital Samantha Christensen whose idea of teamwork is working together with trust, respect, and a shared commitment to patient care.
How long have you been with WBHHS?
Eleven years.
How do you describe what you do?
As the Rural Director of Nursing at Gin Gin Hospital, I lead and support a diverse nursing, operation and clinical team to deliver safe, high‑quality care to our rural community. My role combines clinical oversight, leadership, and system improvement, ensuring patients receive the best possible care close to home.
What's best about your job?
The best part of my role is the people. I enjoy leading, supporting, and mentoring a dedicated team, watching staff grow in confidence and capability, and creating an environment where they feel valued and empowered. Being able to build strong teams and make a meaningful difference by ensuring our rural community can access safe, high‑quality care close to home is incredibly rewarding. I also thoroughly enjoy being able to clinically work on the floor alongside my team and care of patients.
What was your path into health care?
I began my career in health care after graduating as a registered nurse in 2012. I completed my graduate year in the private sector and continued working there as a surgical ward nurse.
In 2015, I transitioned to Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, commencing at Gin Gin Hospital as a casual registered nurse in May that year. Over time, I progressed into leadership roles, including Acting Director of Nursing in 2022 and a permanent Clinical Nurse position in 2024.
Since 2022, I have undertaken multiple secondments as an A/Director of Nursing across various rural sites within WBHHS. I am currently the A/Director of Nursing at Gin Gin Hospital.
What does being part of a team mean to you?
Being part of a team means working together with trust, respect, and a shared commitment to patient care. It’s about supporting one another through challenges, learning from each other’s experiences, and recognising that everyone has something valuable to contribute. In a rural setting especially, strong teamwork is essential—when people feel supported and connected, it not only strengthens the team but also leads to better outcomes for our patients and community.
When you're not at work, you are...
When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time at home on the land with my family or down at the beach. Living rurally, I value the slower pace and the opportunity to be outdoors, whether that’s horse riding, managing our beef cattle farm or doing activities with my boys. These activities allow me to switch off and reconnect with what’s important, while balancing the demands of a busy leadership role and life.
What do you enjoy about living in Wide Bay?
I enjoy the strong sense of community and connection that comes with living in Wide Bay. The region offers a great balance between rural life and coastal living, and people genuinely look out for one another. Being able to live and work in a community where you know your patients, colleagues, and families, while enjoying the natural surroundings, makes Wide Bay a very special place to call home.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
People call me crazy but I run for fun everyday!
What song are you listening to most right now?
Tunes are always playing in the office, a mix of country, pop, rock or old school!