In this week’s instalment of Meet our NUMs, we would like to introduce you to Mel from Kelpie – our adolescent ward. We asked Mel about why she decided to move into adolescent nursing and what she loves the most about her job.
What makes your ward and the patients you care for different from other wards?
It’s very adolescent friendly! We care for adolescents with all kinds of illness and diseases. We also care for children as young as two who require rehabilitation so they can get back to their life outside of hospital. The nurses enjoy talking with their patients and each other. It’s a great team environment!
Tell us about your RCH journey. When you joined, the roles you’ve held here.
I started as a graduate nurse in the old hospital in the neuroscience centre and continued on to Cockatoo (surgical and neurological care) in the new hospital. I met lots of adolescents along the way and really enjoyed adolescent nursing. This led me to study Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. I worked for some time with the Young People’s Health Service, which is a nurse-led clinic that delivers primary health to young people at risk or experiencing homelessness. I returned to Kelpie as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager and am now the Nurse Unit Manager!
Talk us through what a typical day looks like on Kelpie.
It starts with a Kelpie ward huddle then continues with a mix of meetings, emails and a whole lot of conversation in between!
What is the most rewarding thing about your current role?
The Kelpie nursing team who deliver excellent adolescent nursing care.
What is your favourite RCH memory or achievement?
Being accepted into the Graduate Nurse Program.
In five words or less, tell us what you love you about your work?
Advocating for adolescents.
If you could only take three things with you to a desert island, what would they be?
Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!
How do you relax after a long shift?
Enjoy a nice meal with family or friends.
If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be doing instead?
A food critic so I can combine my love for travel and eating.
One comment for “Meet our NUMs: Melissa from Kelpie!”
Megan Juleff
Thank you to the Kelpie staff who looked after our daughter Katherine when we brought her in when ahe was unable to walk after another hospital sent her home too early. We never knew their were so many people in the Adolescent team who could help my daughter. They got her walking again and diagnosed her mental health state.