By EMMA SUN
THE work of some very important people around the world will be celebrated next week as part of International Nurses and Midwives Day.
It’s no surprise that the majority of this hardworking lot will be busy looking after patients and helping parents during the week, which provides a good opportunity to recognise them for their achievements.
The Angliss Hospital’s Michelle Cambrey only just graduated six weeks ago but has already assisted in eight births.
The mother-of-four has always had a passion for children and said she found being a midwife a natural progression.
“I have had a high risk pregnancy so I’ve always had an interest in finding out more about it and I wanted to make a difference to a woman’s journey,” she said.
“The experience for me has been amazing, it’s a real privilege to be part of the birth of a child as you’re with the family in the most sensitive time of their life.
“I find it very overwhelming, every single birth I could shed a tear. It’s awesome.”
Despite saying most graduates must learn to sink or swim during rotations, Ms Cambrey said she has had amazing support and has enjoyed every minute of it.
“You are thrown in the deep end as a grad, thrown into the birth suite, which is the most intense in midwifery,” she said.
“I think from student to midwife is basically overnight – I’ve found it exhausting, mentally and physically, and because you’re a grad you’re learning constantly.
“The support has been amazing, the midwives here are all so nice and it’s a very nice environment to be in, where you’re supporting by very skilled midwives who have a lot of experience.”
Ms Cambrey is not the only one happy with her chosen vocation.
Andray Abeyakoon has wanted to be a nurse since a very young age and is now in her second year at the Angliss Hospital.
“Every day I go to work, it’s a rewarding career for me – I love looking after people, especially elderly people,” she said.
“It’s much better than I expected so I think I’ll definitely be in this career for a long time.
“I love the flexibility, the rotating roster, so you don’t have fixed hours and I find nursing is a learning curve where you learn new things every day.”
She said a typical day includes arranging medications for her patients, checking up to see how they’re doing, getting breakfast ready and helping those that are older with washing and other daily activities.
Her duties also include checking to see if any patients require referrals elsewhere to ensure no one is kept in the hospital for too long.
Ms Abeyakoon said there was no doubt nursing was the perfect career for her.
“It’s one of the best jobs I’ve chosen so far,” she said.
“I find the nursing career is very diverse and there are plenty of other opportunities for further study or other positions, which is great.”
