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General News

16 September, 2020

Malanda Nurse is best in the state

A new state-wide award for nursing has been won by a local nurse who lives and works in Malanda.

By Phil Brandel

Malanda Nurse is best in the state - feature photo

A new state-wide award for nursing has been won by a local nurse who lives and works in Malanda.

Mary English is the Facility Manager and Nursing Director at OzCare Malanda and last week she found at that she had won the Excellence in Leadership and Governance Award in the inaugural professional practice awards run by the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU).

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out that I had won,” Mary said.

“I’m very humbled by it and I’m very please for our workplace here in Malanda.

“Everyone here is really proud and it’s a positive shot in the arm for aged care.”

Mary has been the Nursing Director for the past 11 years and was nominated by a colleague who described her as “a role model for all staff and a professional inspiration,”

“Mary has greatly raised the profile of nursing in a rural setting while creating a culture that supports best practice and excellent workplace relations. “

The award is decided after a number of interviews and judges then base their decision on the interviews and the application.

According to the QNMU “Mary addresses the shortage of clinicians in rural areas by encouraging and supporting professional development and providing opportunities for staff to progress,” they wrote.

“She promotes shared governance and a strong vision for the future by working closely with all health professionals, and has shown a high level of leadership skills within the workplace through her commitment to the safety of staff and residents at her facility.”

Mary said that one of the most important qualities that an aged care nurse can have is communication "The single most valuable thing for this profession is to be a really good communicator and to have a level of flexibility and emotional maturity to support residents’ decisions."

 

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