Tribute to dedication of nurses

WITH a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who were all nurses, it’s little wonder Michelle Kyles decided it was also the profession for her.

Michelle is an enrolled nurse at Mercy Place Woree, where she has worked for more than 35 years, after initially undertaking work experience as a 16-year-old.

From there, she worked as an assistant in nursing for 20 years, until she began her diploma in nursing at North Queensland TAFE in her 30s.

“I loved my role as an assistant in nursing, but wanted to do more and also have more responsibility,” says Michelle, who has lived in Cairns for more than 40 years.

“I also thought I could contribute more to the residents’ care and that was really my driver for studying.

“Nursing makes you feel good. It’s a wonderful thing to help someone and also make them smile. It really is a gift and I adore what I do, just as much as I adore the residents and want the best for them.”

International Nurses’ Day is celebrated around the world on May 12 to pay tribute to the contribution of nurses.

Held on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, it will be celebrated at Mercy Place Woree with a morning tea for all the nursing staff.

Mercy Place Woree service manager Charlene Reyes says it provides an important opportunity to celebrate nursing as a profession and residents were particularly keen to acknowledge the care they receive from staff on the day.

“Mercy Place Woree is very fortunate to have a wonderful team of dedicated and professional nurses like Michelle, and we think Florence Nightingale’s birthday is the perfect time to acknowledge them for their dedication and levels of care, which are second to none,” she says.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Clare Douglas said International Nurses’ Day closely followed International Midwives’ Day on May 5.

“Almost half of our 6000 staff are nurses and midwives. They are the backbone of our health system.”

Cairns Hospital hosted a special breakfast yesterday and presented awards to all of its nurse unit managers.