Wuchopperen Health Service Limited celebrated International Nurses Day (12 May) with a presentation of cards and flowers to its 12 – strong team of Registered Nurses, Nurse Home Visitors, Immunisation Nurse, Midwife and Enrolled Nurses.
Registered Nurse Kyoko Molleneaux (left), who works in Wuchopperen’s Chronic and Complex Health clinic, said nursing was a lifelong dream.
‘I always wanted to be a nurse,’ she explained.
‘I cannot think of any other profession more wonderful than nursing. I get paid for what I really, really love doing. Nursing is my life – long passion. I just love my role here at Wuchopperen as a clinic nurse because my clients are so adorable and I cannot help but be happy working with them. The staff are lovely to work with too.’
‘I trained as a nurse at James Cook University, Cairns and graduated in 2011 when I was 51, so I am a quite a late bloomer. I worked in Cairns Hospital for about three years; first I was in the gynaecological ward and then peri-operative. I have been with Wuchopperen for just over four years, first working in the First Time Mums program, and then the clinic position came up just over a year ago. I really love what I do here. Best job ever!’
‘I would recommend this career to anyone who loves people. To complete a nursing degree is hard, (in my opinion) but absolutely worth it and rewarding.’
Registered Nurse – Immunisations Jessica Proctor, who works in Wuchopperen’s Women’s, Maternal and Child clinic, had a very different pathway. Originally studying biomedical engineering at the University of South Australia, Jessica moved to a remote area and took on a dual nursing / science degree. Her plan was to move to a city after graduation and pursue a career in medical research. Then something happened. ‘Much to my surprise I fell in love with nursing and it has become a big part of who I am, I don’t want to change that,’ Jessica said.
‘Nursing is a real privilege, particularly in the community setting. I love working in the Women’s, Children and Maternal Health clinic with little people and their parents. Over time, as we become familiar with regular clients, we become a part of their stories, we confirm pregnancies, provide the antenatal care, meet the new babies and they come in for the immunisations and developmental assessments and watch them grow into hard headed toddlers who tear through the consult rooms like happy little cyclones. We support the families on their good days and their bad days and have a laugh where we can.’
Jessica completed her Nursing degree and Diabetic Educator Certificate at Curtin University. Western Australian and has worked in a range of locations including Albany Regional Hospital, Albany Regional Prison, Cairns Family Medical Centre and, for the last three years, for Wuchopperen.
‘Wuchopperen plays a very special role in the community and it is a privilege to be able to be a part of that,’ she said.
‘The inequity in Australian health care system and the poorer health outcomes for Indigenous Australians is unacceptable. I think a place like Wuchopperen attracts the most amazing and passionate clinicians and, as a result, I have been lucky enough to work with the most amazing doctors, nurses, midwives and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, all working together to improve the quality of life for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. The most special thing about Wuchopperen is the toddlers and children who come in with their own theatrical and dramatic personalities and sticky little hands.
Jessica said nursing is a rewarding career choice.
‘Nursing is a great career option, there are so many areas you can specialise in and you will meet amazing people from all over the world (patients and colleagues) and hear their stories. You will never be bored and never stop learning.’
Image L-R: Registered Nurse Kyoko Molleneaux and Executive Officer Laurel McCarthy
