I grew up in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. I went to a very small school and am proud to say it was monumental in my development. For high school, I went to public school situated in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, where I became the School Captain. In the early 2000’s, I was accepted into the Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University (Lismore).
I enjoyed so much of my degree from the structure and focus of the content to the opportunity to live in one of the most incredible locations in Australia. One of the career strengthening opportunity’s during my degree was undertaking placement in a variety of settings, which show-cased the variations to health service delivery and the essential role of the nurse within communities.
Once I graduated, I worked throughout South Eastern Queensland in a variety of health services, I developed a focus on Intensive Care and Emergency Nursing. I did this in conjunction with building skills in education (both tertiary and vocational) and educational program development and accreditation. I made the transition to patient safety and quality in early 2013, building skills and being mentored by some incredible health professionals, managers and executives while undertaking my post grad in Health Law. In 2017, I accepted a position as the Clinical Quality and Safety Manager for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, South Eastern Section and moved to Far West New South Wales - Broken Hill. This role focused on the development of a Clinical Governance and Risk Management program spanning three jurisdictions and the associated change management.
Given my love for the country and my desire to own my own farm in early 2020, I made the move to the Glen Innes Highlands where I now run my own consulting business, work occasionally in the local health service and with my partner I am building a business and family farm.
What does your employer do?
I operate as a contractor and have more than one client - all are focused on health service delivery or education.
What are your areas of responsibility?
Clinical Governance theory, National Standards (NSQHS) theory and application, policy development, program development, medico-legal theory, process development, education planning and process.
Can you describe a typical work day?
COFFEE! As a nurse, I think it is in my veins!
I mainly work from home, I rise early, take a coffee and sit at the window and count the cows and the sheep. This prepares me for my day. I generally commence work by checking off to do lists and visiting my email inbox. With the project work I do, my days vary- some times, I will jump straight into meetings and others I have fact finding or theory to digest before I begin to write, re write or evaluate documents. Working remotely, good communication is a focus of my day, so I am checking in with people via email, text message or phone to ensure that key points, detail and deadlines are met.
What sort of person succeeds in your career?
Driven, focused and flexible.
What are the career prospects with your job?
I believe the world is my oyster. If I was looking for full time employment, I would be looking at a Directors role in Clinical Governance, or Policy within a Government Department. Alternatively, I could work very happily as a nurse or Clinical Nurse Specialist, Educator or Tutor. I am so fortunate to have been able to develop a range of skills and experience that give me the flexibility to move around.
I am developing my skills for board positions - my next focus is to develop a better understanding of committee and board function so I can take my operational, management, governance and risk experience into an executive capacity, while balancing my life on the farm.
What do you love the most about your job?
Flexibility and challenges. I love to be challenged, invest my energy and exercise my brain.
What do you like least about your job?
Nothing. I’ve engineered my career to get to this point and I am really happy with the balance .... sometimes poor internet connection is frustrating....
What three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student?