Great Southern nurses on Statewide award shortlist

Great Southern nurses and midwives have been recognised for their work in the community.

Finalists have been announced in the WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards — and half of the 38 finalists are from regional WA.

Denmark registered nurse Elizabeth Churchill is one of the finalists — a nominee for Graduate of the Year.

She said the news was a pleasant surprise.

“The nominations came through staff that I’ve worked with and my patients,” she said.

“I was surprised by the nomination. I definitely wasn’t expecting that.

“To be recognised in the first year of nursing is really humbling and really special.

“In the first year you want to learn as much as you can, so to be recognised for all that and more is really special.”

The registered nurse said she loved working in Denmark, building relationships in the community.

“The goal for me was to always work regional,” she said.

“I grew up in the country and I think it’s rewarding to work in a rural town.

“A lot of the times you are building community relationships.

“I think it’s so important to recognise the work of regional nurses. I don’t think that nurses get recognised enough for what they do every day. It’s very special.”

The WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards bring together nurses and midwives from all over the State with different levels of experience and from a range of work environments.

Jeremy Everett is another finalist for Graduate of the Year from the Great Southern.

Acting WA Country Health Service executive director of nursing and midwifery Jeffery Williams said the result was a testament to country nurses and midwives.

“I’m pleased to see 19 very worthy finalists, across a number of categories, are from remote and regional WA,” Mr Williams said.

“They are at the forefront of our regional healthcare services and their contribution is vital to the health and wellbeing of the communities in which we operate.”

Winners of the 2019 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards will be announced at a gala ball on Saturday, May 11.