Burnett nurse recognised for decades on job

AFTER almost five decades of nursing, Sylvia Spink doesn’t regret one minute.

Mrs Spink has been a clinical nurse based at Blue Care’s Gayndah and Wakka Wakka Jinda Community Centre for the past 17 years.

She has spent 11 years in her current role and six as a registered nurse supporting clients from Biggenden, Eidsvold, Mundubbera and everywhere in between.

Mrs Spink said despite its challenges, she loved the variety in her job.

“One day I could be coordinating care for clients, supporting personal carers, doing admissions and the next I’m out seeing clients myself, delivering everything from palliative to wound care,” Mrs Spink said.

“I love what I do. Getting to know the community and making a difference every day makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s the small things that matter most – seeing a smile on a person’s face in a difficult time, hearing a thank you from a client.”

Mrs Spink was one of the last trained nurses to go through Biloela Hospital in 1973. Shortly after, she studied at Mater Mother’s to become a midwife. Mrs Spink said she left school when she was 15.

“Back then, there weren’t many career paths for girls – you either became a teacher, a nurse or a secretary,” she said.

“My cousin took up nursing and enjoyed it, so I wanted to give it a try and I’m so glad I did.

“My advice for budding nurses is to embrace it and enjoy it, study hard and take every opportunity you’re given.”