‘Every day is a fast-paced day – but very rewarding.’

Meet Melissa Barkho – one of Westmead Hospital’s future leaders in nursing and midwifery.

Melissa is part of the hospital’s new nursing and midwifery development program, which aims to train staff for future leadership roles.

Melissa completed the program and acted in several nursing unit manager positions in the Women’s Health Clinic and Midwifery in the Home before she was successfully appointed as the clinical midwifery manager of the busy maternity ward.

Now, Melissa is responsible for the co-ordination of women and their families into the unit and follow-up on discharge – and she’s always busy.

“We have 41 beds and have an average of 15 admissions and 15 discharges every day so it’s very fast-paced,” she said.

“But welcoming new families or those extending their family (with new bubs!) in those early stages is extremely rewarding.”

The program was an initiative of the hospital’s nursing and midwifery executive.

“The support within Women’s & Newborn Health from the managers and senior staff have made my transition into the leadership program and my new role an easy one,” Melissa said.