Stephanie tells us about her journey at the RCH, and why she finds working in our Complex Care Hub – a service that supports the care of children with chronic and complex medical needs – so rewarding.
What makes your ward and the patients you care for different from other wards?
The Complex Care Hub is a relatively new service that commenced in July 2018. It consists of a multidisciplinary team and supports the care of children across the state who have chronic and complex medical needs. The Complex Care Hub provides a range of services, with different levels of support, to meet the needs of our patients and their families.
Tell us about your RCH journey. When you joined, the roles you’ve held here.
I started as a graduate nurse on 7 West in 2008. When the hospital moved, I transitioned to the Koala ward and worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Associate Nurse Unit Manager. Since then I have had opportunities to cover fixed-term roles, including manager of the Nursing Administration Workforce and Interpreters Service and NUM of the Family Choice Program, and to work with the Nursing Hospital Manager team.
Talk us through what a typical day looks like… or what you’re doing today.
With so many different patients and a multidisciplinary team who work both in the office and on the road, no two days look the same! We all start the day together with a huddle, which brings together our medical, allied health and nursing teams. This includes all Complex Care Hub programs – the Post-Acute Care program, the Schoolcare Program, the Homecare Program and Complex Asthma Service. I also oversee the training and assessment of in-home healthcare support workers. From there my day can take me anywhere!
What is the most rewarding thing about your current role?
Being part of a service that is new and evolving, and being able to make goals with families about how we can best support their journey at the RCH. It feels like we have an opportunity to dream big about what supporting children and families will look like in the future.
What is your favourite RCH memory or achievement?
The first 18 months of the Complex Care Hub has been a great achievement. All of the team arrived on day one of the Complex Care Hub to changed roles and different workflows, but we have a common goal to best support families and always put in 110 per cent.
In five words, tell us what you love you about your work?
Inspirational families and a motivated team (sorry that was six words).
If you could only take three things with you to a desert island, what would they be?
I would want to take a big comfy bed, a giant inflatable pool chair and some delicious snacks – I may as well make the most of being deserted!
How do you relax after a long shift?
I love to put some music on and cook in the kitchen slowly – by the time dinner is ready I am usually relaxed.
If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be doing instead?
I have always thought I would like to be a member of Hi-5!
To read more about the RCH Complex Care Hub, please click here.