CARING AT HEART OF FAMILY
FOR these Gold Coast nurses caring is more than a career, it is in their blood.
Newly registered nurse Samuel Northey is following in the footsteps of his father David Northey as he joins 152 new nurses and midwives at the Gold Coast health network this year.
As one of only 23 male nurses in the new cohort, Samuel said he was glad to add to the gender diversity in the profession.
National Health Workforce Data reveals men make up just 10 per cent of nurses in Australia, but represent 15.1 per cent of the Gold Coast’s new 2020 intake.
“A balance in the workplace is really important and it is great to show anyone can serve in a caring role,” Samuel said.
After watching his father’s passion for his work as a clinical nurse in neurology, Samuel said he decided to change his career.
“I had been at a real crossroad about where I was going. I had done a few TAFE courses in technology and a diploma of fitness, then Dad suggested nursing.
“I went for it and when I had a chance to go on my first clinical placement it just clicked.”
Samuel, 30, has spent a year working in the Robina rehabilitation unit.
“I want to be there at the end of the patient’s journey rather than at the start. I’ve played sport my whole life and faced injuries.
“Sometimes your mindset gets really down and sometimes you just need to talk. I’ll go out of my way to make their journey as easy as possible.”
Samuel’s father David, who has worked in the sector for well over a decade, said he was glad for the opportunity to share his passion with his son.
“I also didn’t go into nursing straight away, but I am so glad I did. It has been the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” David said.
One of his fondest memories is a woman who came in with a haemorrhagic stroke and was put on a “care of dying pathway”. She walked out of the ward three weeks later.