At Blue Mountains Hospital in Katoomba, Sarah has found the perfect fit for her passion for nursing inspired by family and community.
“Blue Mountains appealed to me as a smaller hospital with a real family feel,” says Sarah.
“I grew up here in the Blue Mountains, and my mother and grandmother were both nurses. I’d go to the hospital after school to meet Mum and always loved the environment.”
Sarah achieved her Assistant in Nursing qualification at the age of sixteen and was soon working in the aged care sector.
“I appreciate being able to help people when they are sick and vulnerable,” says Sarah.
“I also really like time management, which is huge part of the job, plus I enjoy being on my feet.”
As a newly registered nurse, Sarah is able to take advantage of the Blue Mountains Hospital's strong focus on clinical education, including through hands-on training with advanced simulation technology.
“There’s a lot of unique opportunities here and a huge amount of support for new nurses,” says Sarah.
“Because it’s a smaller hospital, I can get assessed and signed off quickly for a large variety of procedures, and the education and training space is amazing.”
Mostly though, Sarah is driven by the rewards of contributing to the health of her local community.
“Being close to home is great, but I also feel a sense of pride when I’m walking around Katoomba, knowing that I could one day be caring for the people around me,” says Sarah.
Working in the Blue Mountains, Sarah is also able to balance the responsibilities of nursing with a healthy lifestyle.
“I really value self-care, so before or after a shift I’ll often go for a walk in the bush, sit at a lookout and journal, or even just sit in nature and enjoy the birds. It really puts me in a good mindset.”
While she’s open to any number of opportunities in her career as a nurse, Sarah is currently curious about paediatrics and midwifery.
