How do you describe what you do?
My role in Mental Health – Hospital in the Home (MH-HITH) is to support individuals experiencing mental illness or psychological distress. I assess, treat, and care for patients to aid their recovery and manage symptoms effectively in their home setting. I actively engage in safety planning and risk mitigation with consumers and carers that align with MH-HITH MDT plans and consumer goals.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Engaging with people when they are rock bottom and have no hope for recovery. I get to spend time with our consumers and build therapeutic rapport through transparency and setting boundaries with a non-judgmental approach. Being of Aboriginal descent I enjoy delivering care to First Nations people and attempt to close the gap for Indigenous Australians to access health care without shame or guilt.
What was your path into health care?
I worked as a security health assistant for NSW health at Moree hospital. I worked in all supportive areas of the hospital except for clinical roles. I found myself on the wrong side of the curtain often as I was interested in the clinical field. I was fortunately encouraged by staff to apply for a traineeship in nursing and was successful in securing a place that helped me land a permanent full-time job as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse with Hunter New England Area Health Service.
Having worked in Renal in NSW, I was the first Enrolled Nurse to work in the Renal Haemodialysis Unit at Hervey Bay Hospital, transferred to Specialist Outpatients Clinics five years later and remained there until graduating as a Registered Nurse in 2019.
A post-graduate position in Maryborough Mental Health Inpatient Unit opened a brand-new pathway to nursing.
What does being part of a team mean to you?
Throughout my life I have been a part of many teams in a work capacity or sport. I have captained and coached many sporting teams and worked in team leader roles in various industries from agriculture to healthcare. I lead by example and appreciate individual strengths and attempt to facilitate “match the hatch” approach to provide holistic care that is therapeutic for consumers and aligns to the goals of the MH-HITH model of care.
When you’re not at work, you are…
Trying to win lotto, fishing, playing golf or simply just pottering around the house.
What do you enjoy about living in Wide Bay?
I love the climate and the great events that are drawn to our region. We are on the doorstep of K’gari and have an abundance of beautiful areas around us such as Utopia Falls and Rainbow Beach.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I am an adrenalin junkie and like to live on the edge so I am always up for a good dare.
What song are you listening to most right now?
Walk by Pantera.