Leadership journeys of Coast nurses celebrated

“They never faltered in ensuring our patients were and remain at the centre of everything they do.”

Vanessa Hujber, Hervey Bay Hospital's relatively new nurse unit manager of theatres, started her professional life as a personal assistant in the corporate world, and came to nursing after having two children and going through a divorce.

International Nurses Day gave the region the chance to celebrate the journeys of two of the Fraser Coast’s nursing heroes.

Wide Bay Hospital and Heath Service nurses Vanessa Hujber and Carmel Crotty are united by much – not least a passion for their profession and a desire to never stop learning.

This year’s International Nurses Day overarching theme was Nurses: A Voice to Lead, which highlights the importance in investing in new nurses as they take the early steps in their careers.

Ms Hujber, Hervey Bay Hospital’s relatively new nurse unit manager of theatres, started her professional life as a personal assistant in the corporate world, and came to nursing after having two children and going through a divorce.

Graduating from the University of Southern Queensland in 2009, she came to Hervey Bay Hospital as a graduate nurse in 2010, where she found her passion in theatre.

“I wanted something that was fulfilling, stable and provided opportunities for career growth,” she said.

“With theatre nursing, you’ve got to be thinking critically the whole time and keep your finger on the pulse.

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“It’s also great to see patients come in needing our help, and to get them on the road to recovery and walking out our doors.

“I love making a difference to the patient journey. We often have to remember that even though we do this every day, every day is also different – and this isn’t an everyday experience for the patient.

“The moment that theatre gown goes on, a lot of people can feel very vulnerable and it’s important we don’t forget that.”

Ms Hujber said nursing also provided opportunities for continual learning and advancement, which recently saw her step into the leadership role of nurse unit manager.

“It gives me the best of both worlds. I can focus on quality improvement and staff engagement, and if I see a problem, I can work with our team to fix it together,” she said.

Having started out as a nurse at Maryborough Hospital in 1975, Carmel Crotty has reflected on how the variety of work and learning opportunities that have kept her in the profession 46 years later.

Having started out as a nurse at Maryborough Hospital in 1975, Ms Crotty has reflected on how the variety of work and learning opportunities that have kept her in the profession 46 years later.

“What’s been rewarding about nursing is working with excellent staff, the patient appreciation for what you do and the incredible knowledge base you build,” Ms Crotty, Maryborough Hospital’s Ward 2 nurse unit manager, said.

“It is a continual learning experience. Every day I learn something new and no day is the same – which is why it’s interesting.”

Ms Crotty’s mother and sister were nurses, but it was not a career she initially pursued – firstly working locally for the Department of Primary Industries and then spending 18 months as a secretary in a public relations firm in London’s Fleet Street.

“When I came back, I told Mum I didn’t know what to do since I had such an exciting job over there. She told me to go into nursing,” Ms Crotty said.

“The early days were a challenge, but my brother-in-law said to me that I wouldn’t stick to it – but I did stick to it.

“I started being in charge when I was 25, of a private ward of 38 beds. I’ve had a charge (ward leadership) position ever since.”

While her training as a nurse involved three years working in the hospital, Ms Crotty believes the switch to university training has been an important investment in developing the knowledge base of new nurses.

“There are so many opportunities now in so many different sectors, whether it’s primary, tertiary or secondary care. As a nurse you must always want to continue to learn,” she said.

Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery Fiona Sewell said she was proud of her whole team, who displayed the true nursing values of resilience, courage, teamwork, professionalism and especially adaptability.

“WBHHS employs more than 1600 nurses across a huge variety of roles, and I want to acknowledge the unique and important contribution of every one of them,” Ms Sewell said.

“Every day our nurses provide outstanding care across Wide Bay as they support and advocate for their patients in an increasingly challenging environment.

“The past 18 months is a great example of that. Nurses have stepped forward even more, both with working on the front lines and behind the scenes; delivering care and changing the way we provide care, while ensuring the provision of a safe, high-quality health care and health care system, was continued.

“They never faltered in ensuring our patients were and remain at the centre of everything they do.”

Originally published as Leadership journeys of Coast nurses celebrated