International Nurses Day 2023
Our Nurses. Our Future. – Maria’s Story
Today we celebrate and thank all nurses for their care, time and patience. In particular we say thank you to our nurses at NSW Spine Specialists.
International Nurses Day 2023 theme is “Our Nurses. Our Future”. Our practice nurses are an integral part of the team and future of NSW Spine Specialists.
With that in mind, we would like you to meet Maria, one of our practice nurses. You may have had the pleasure of meeting Maria. If you have, you would have been on the receiving end of her warmth, compassion and infectious smile.
We spoke with Maria about her journey that led her to being a nurse and joining us at NSW Spine Specialists.
Maria was born in the Philippines. We started off with what brought her to Australia.
Maria: I have practiced as a registered nurse in the Philippines and I wanted to venture to another country where I could potentially advance in my career and start to build my own family. Australia, being a family oriented country and close to the Philippines where my parents are still staying, was a great opportunity for me .
When did you arrive in Australia?
I arrived in December 2012 to do my bridging program, which is the Initial Registration Overseas Nurse Program in Melbourne for 3 months and was given an opportunity to work in Sydney following that.
Why did you choose nursing?
The medical field has always been my passion and to be able to incorporate my knowledge and skills in order to help people in their physical, mental and emotional health, was the best career I could ask for.
You are now a specialised nurse, what led you to your current specialisation?
I have practiced as a registered nurse for the last 12 years and have always been in the medical-surgical speciality. For the last 8 years, Orthopaedic has been my area of speciality and I have grown in my knowledge and skill in this area and am willing to continue to grow in it.
You are completing further study, what are you studying and how will this benefit NSW Spine Specialists?
I am currently in my last leg in finishing my Masters of Nurse Practitioner wherein I will be able to add more to our current clinical practice as my knowledge increases through the assistance of both my supervisors, Dr Brian Hsu and Dr Bhisham Singh. I will be able to assess using diagnostic capability, plan care and engage others, prescribe and implement therapeutic interventions and support health systems.
What do you find the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Being an integral part of a multidisciplinary team looking after patients that need us.
