Aged care nurses vie for top spot
The aged care sector will have a strong showing at this year’s HESTA Australian Nursing Awards, with three of the 11 finalists set to represent the sector at the awards ceremony this Thursday.
Three outstanding aged care nurses will proudly represent the sector in the finals of the HESTA Australian Nursing Awards at a ceremony in Melbourne this Thursday.
The three aged care finalists will battle it out for top spot against eight others, throughout three award categories: Nurse of the Year, Innovation in Nursing and Graduate Nurse of the Year.
Graduate Nurse of the Year contender, Debra Young from Benetas (Gladswood Lodge), Victoria was selected because of her commitment to sector and patient advocacy.
This newly qualified nurse entered the aged care sector at age 17 as a Registered Nursing Aide, attracted by previous experience as a carer for her grandmother.
Now the Care Co-ordinator at Benetas, Ms Young enjoys both the challenges and rewards of aged care.
“You treat more than an acute episode and you are looking after the whole person,” said Ms Young.
“This is why I am so passionate and a strong advocate for aged care. We make sure that each person in our care is treated as an individual and that the way we look after them takes their whole life story into account. It’s all about ensuring that the person is not forgotten.”
Finalist in the Innovation in Nursing award, Christine Lancaster is a Sydney-based clinical nurse consultant, chosen for her work developing and implementing a palliative care volunteer program.
Ms Lancaster developed the program at the Donald Coburn Centre, NSW ( Anglican Retirement Village) following the death of a 104-year-old resident who was distressed and had no immediate family close by.
The program aims to match residents with volunteers to provide emotional support and company.
“Dying with dignity means knowing you matter right until the end and that your wishes will be respected even when you have no family around,” Ms Lancaster said.
“Volunteers either sit with the resident and read, or talk, or just be with them,” and have an extremely “positive impact” on the residents.
Clinical nurse from the Royal Hobart Hospital, Ian Nethery, will also be vying for an award, competing for the title of Nurse of the Year.
Mr Nethery has been recognised for his role in creating Australia’s first specialist emergency department unit for older patients and those with dementia
The new unit, which is credited with reducing recovery time and length of hospital stay, has attracted interest from around Australia and overseas, with experts claiming it as an international first.
The 11 finalists have been selected from more than 370 nominations. Travel and education grants worth $25,000 will be shared between the Graduate Nurse of the Year ($5,000), Innovation in Nursing ($10,000) and Nurse of the Year ($10,000) winners.
HESTA is one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds for people working in health and community services.
From the top: Debra Young, Christine Lancaster and Ian Nethery.
