With a passion for helping people, Carina Fernandes in her final year at Western Sydney University received accolades as a nursing student. Now a recent graduate, having completed her Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced) degree, and recognised as an Emerging Nurse Leader 2021 by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN), Carina has her sights set on her new role in healthcare, at the same time keeping sustainability top of mind.
The Emerging Nurse Leader Program gives practicing nurses and students the opportunity to develop leadership skills by participating in a range of mentoring, coaching and professional development activities. Carina earned a place in the prestigious program due to her academic achievements and vast experience in volunteering and community advocacy.
The inspirational mother of three, who lives in Penrith, is actively engaged in the local community. Within the Penrith community, Carina is a member of the Penrith City Council Resilience Committee; Vice President of the P&C at a local School; and volunteers for a number of humanitarian and environmental projects that aim to help local families in need and reduce the impact of extreme heat in the community.
In addition to Carina’s most recent accomplishment, of being named an Emerging Nurse Leader, she was also nominated in the Community category of the Women of the West Awards in 2020 and won a ZEST Unsung Heroes Award in 2019.
Carina now works in a graduate nurse position at Nepean Hospital and reflects on the new phase of her life, “The best thing about nursing is that it is lifelong learning, there are so many opportunities and you get back tenfold of what you put into it.”
Australia #Health #Nursing, #SDGs
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Message from former Australian Health Minister Hon Greg Hunt
The Honourable Greg Hunt served in the Australian Government as Minster for Health and Aged Care from 2017, previously as Industry, Innovation and Science Minister and before that the Environment Minister.
Elected as the Member for Flinders in 2001, Greg announced his retirement from politics late 2021 and in 2022, ahead of the Federal Election, having completed 20 years as a public servant.
Australian Health Journal recently caught up with Greg in a relaxed interview at his home in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria to hear how a 9 month sabbatical has allowed him to focus on family, fitness and future. This has even included some “brutal spin cycle classes!”.
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Unleashing the potential of Paramedic skills and knowledge
According to a prominent paramedicine academic and researcher, paramedics have the potential to provide much-needed care in the community, changing the traditional healthcare model. Research points to paramedics having a wider healthcare workforce impact based on their ability to identify and fix problems 24/7.
Dr. Brendan Shannon is Head of Postgraduate Programs in the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University and a member of The Australasian College of Paramedicine. His interests including refining healthcare models, to ensure underserved communities receive requisite care. These alternative care pathways, like outreach programs, can work out of hospitals to provide care in underserved communities with social and complex chronic conditions.
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Michelle Fenwick – Northern Health
The outskirts of Melbourne is experiencing significant population growth over the next 10 years and Northern Health has taken preemptive steps to ensure the supply of new talented healthcare staff as well as develop the culture of the workplace.
Michelle Fenwick, the Executive Director of Northern Health spoke with our reporter Anne Dao on the challenges of this urban growth over the past 3 years. By 2031 the region is expected to increase in population by 63%. Added to this is hiring and training the right workforce to align with the clinical care needs of people coming into the healthcare centres.
Culture is forming in a growing organisation with approximately 70% of staff having been at Northern Health less than 4 years. However there is opportunity for clinical staff to accelerate their career in such an environment
