Jen Austin, a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, talked with patients, staff, students and visitors at Queanbeyan Hospital during October about the services the program offers to patients, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“McGrath Breast Care Nurses are registered nurses specially trained to manage the care of people with breast cancer throughout the course of their treatment,” explained Jen.
“We play an important advocacy role as well as helping to clarify technical or complicated information that may not be easily understood.
“Most importantly, McGrath Breast Care Nurses offer vital emotional support for people with breast cancer and their families, during what can be a very difficult time. Being a McGrath nurse is a privilege - every day, I know I’m making a real difference.”
Southern NSW Local Health District
Queanbeyan McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Jennifer Austin
Jen supports patients and their families in Queanbeyan and the surrounding areas, including Braidwood. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2002 and became a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in 2023. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Breast Care Nursing, and a Graduate Certificate in Oncology Nursing.
“I value my role as McGrath Breast Care Nurse through being a constant source of support as an educator, information provider, listener, advocate and helping patients, their families, and carers.”
“Every day I make a difference by supporting patients and their families and I feel that my openness in navigating them through their cancer story helps build a trusting rapport and decreases stress and anxiety.”
There are currently 233 McGrath Breast Care Nurses across Australia who provide expert care to individuals and families experiencing breast cancer, for free.
Southern has McGrath Breast Care Nurses in Goulburn, Queanbeyan, Moruya, Bega and Cooma. Find your nearest McGrath Breast Care Nurse at mcgfdn.com/findanurse or call 1800 183 338.
Southern NSW Local Health District is among the state’s top performers for emergency department and planned surgery performance, despite treating a high number of critically unwell patients during the July to September 2024 quarter.
To mark Nurse Practitioner Week (9-15 December), we asked Linda Geale, a Nurse Practitioner at Southern specialising in Chronic and Complex Respiratory Conditions, about what she enjoys most about her role.
