International Nurses Day
This Friday, 12 May, is International Nurses Day and to celebrate we’re shining a spotlight on some of our amazing Territory nurses.
April is a Nurse Practitioner based in Central Australia.
Her career in started in the Philippines, where she studied a Bachelor Science in Psychology, before completing a Bachelor Science in Nursing at La Trobe University in Victoria and further studying Diabetes Education.
“I took the opportunity to move to country Victoria for work towards being a credentialed Diabetes Educator, which provided me with the skills, and experience and to build a foundation of knowledge in diabetes management in a primary health setting,” she says.
Now based in the Northern Territory, April’s skills are particularly relevant as diabetes in First Nation people are amongst the highest rates in the world.
April would encourage anyone interested in furthering their passion for nursing to consider completing a Masters of Nurse Practitioner.
The post graduate degree advanced April’s skills in patient assessment, and granted her the ability to prescribe medication, make referrals to specialists, and do additional investigations.
“As the role is relatively new in the NT, I work to expand my scope of practice,” she says.
“I have the duty to provide mentorship, leadership and be part of quality improvement projects within my organisation.”
April says she loves working with a team of like-minded people, all working together to provide the best outcome for patients.
“Once you complete your degree in nursing, your world is your oyster, and you will always have a job,” she says.
“In the broad spectrum, I hope my knowledge and clinical skills have positively changed someone’s life.”
Christine is a Mental Health Nurse and NT Health’s Central Australia Workforce Development Lead.
Christine's work mantra is simple and based on a quote by author Kahill Gibran, she says that it is only when you give of yourself that you truly give.
This mantra explains Christine’s lifetime of service to the community, and to the dedicated nursing staff she now works with as a decades-long experienced Registered Nurse, combined with her specialities in mental health and aged psychiatric care.
“I’ve already tried to retire three times,” she said. “But I’m not very good at it.”
Ensuring all those around her are provided with the resources they need to meet any challenges, Christine says her work is all about supporting others.
“Remote area nursing gives you the ability to work independently, but there is a very strong network of colleagues here, so you always have the support you need and programs available that enable you to learn,” she said.
“What the NT also provides is the opportunity to work with the world’s oldest continuing culture – you can’t find that anywhere else in the world. And that’s a privilege.”
Christine said she’d encourage anyone to work in Central Australia, where there is so much engagement and fulfilment to be found.
“Mental Health nursing is particularly rewarding, that’s why I’m a psychiatric nurse. I think all people deserve respect and care and treatment.
“One in 4 or 5 people will have a mental health problem in their life, so if you’re a mental health nurse, you can help.”
Thank you to all our Territory Nurses who provide our community with amazing support.
If you would like to learn more about a career at NT Health, visit https://healthjobs.nt.gov.au/
