With a nursing career spanning almost 50 years, Sue Smith’s professional expertise, gained through varied and challenging experiences, has earned her a rewarding career and the respect of many.
In announcing her retirement, the Emergency Department Nurse Unit Manager’s calm presence in critical response situations is a testament to the longevity of her career and the immense impact she has had on colleagues and patients.
Sue began working at the Bundaberg Hospital in 1977 as a student nurse in an era where drops were counted to calculate drip rates, and two-hourly back rubs and draw sheet changes were routine. The use of mercury thermometers was standard practice and seeing nurses dishing up and serving meals to patients was the norm.
Technology was less advanced, and medical defibrillators were large cumbersome machines wheeled on trolleys as opposed to the smaller more portable SAED defibrillators used today.
After becoming a registered nurse, Sue had her sights set on an adventurous lifestyle working in remote clinics, rural hospitals and tertiary centres around Australia.
Completing her Midwifery and Child Health training gave her the opportunity to land her dream job as an RFDS Flight Nurse in Mt Isa.
“The experience of providing clinics and emergency response in remote Northwest Queensland was incredible,” Sue recalls.
“I have fond memories of landing on dirt airstrips and roads, loading trauma patients on the back of a Toyota for the bumpy trip to the aircraft, and having cups of tea and corned beef sandwiches in the Urandangi Hall in 48-degree heat with no air-conditioning.
“I delivered a baby in the back of an aircraft and experienced the hospitality and friendship of the people who lived in this vast isolated region.”
It was in 1998 that Sue decided to return to Bundaberg where she worked casually as a midwife, and in the emergency department. This eventually led her to be employed within the emergency department and later she was appointed to the role of Nurse Unit Manager.
Care, connection and compassion
Throughout her career Sue has witnessed the impact of significant weather and tragic events in the Wide Bay region, including the Childers backpacker fire in 2000.
A derailment of the Tilt Train north of Bundaberg in 2004 was another memorable moment for her when, out of the 157 passengers and staff onboard, 50 were assessed, triaged and treated with another 50 assessed and transported to other destinations.
“I was so impressed by the state disaster response to this incident and of our local hospital and community,” Sue said.
“Volunteers worked in the kitchen making sandwiches, a barbecue sprung up outside and staff worked during the night and the next day providing care.”
The severe floods of 2011 and 2013 along with the evacuation of the Bundaberg Hospital were unforgettable events and busy times for hospital staff.
North Bundaberg was evacuated; people were winched off roofs, and Sue recalled how the roar of the river was so loud.
“I remember hearing helicopters constantly flying over the hospital with several landing at our helipad to offload elderly people from nursing homes," she said.
“These people were wet, scared and had no idea what was happening. The emergency department found space, and we got them warm and dry.
“The whole of the Bundaberg hospital was evacuated to Brisbane by choppers and army Hercules aircraft. It was incredible witnessing the logistics of this event and to watch the last giant aircraft fly away.
“A small team of available staff remained in the emergency department with many sleeping at the hospital. I was so proud of them.”
No stranger to responding in critical situations by this stage of her career, Sue faced another with the arrival of COVID in 2020. The constant changes in treatment and the isolation requirements made this yet another challenging experience.
Having worked with five Emergency Medical Directors, numerous Nursing Directors and managers, Sue said it was the emergency team that kept her in the Nurse Unit Manager role for so long.
“This is a team that is caring, compassionate, hardworking and adaptable, providing the absolute best care to the people of Bundaberg,” she said.
In congratulating Sue on her successful career and wishing her well in retirement, Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said Sue embodied the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service values.
“Care, connection and compassion for all have been clearly demonstrated through Sue’s interaction with our staff, patients and their families,” Ms Carroll said.
“She is held in high regard as a valuable leader in the emergency team, mentoring staff and ensuring effective communication which is vital when working in a high-pressured environment.
“Her dedication and commitment to service is to be admired and we thank her for the contribution she has made within our health service and in caring for the community.”
Sue is now looking forward to the next phase of her life taking it at a slower pace, experiencing new things and spending more time babysitting her two-year-old grandson.