New nurses help patients avoid hospital visits

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has welcomed five of the latest transition to professional practice (TPP) nurses who will focus on chronic and complex nursing.

These skilled professionals will provide a range of services to clients, carers and families to improve their health either from their home, community health centres or other community settings.

Chronic and complex care nurse Melissa Graf is looking forward to working in partnership with clients in the community.

“I chose community nursing to see how care operates outside the hospital and to consider a client’s lifestyle and priorities,” Ms Graf said.

“Most of the time I will be doing assessments, referrals to other services, see how clients are coping at home after surgery, manage wound care and chronic illness like diabetes or heart failure.

“I spend a bit of time in the car driving to and from appointments, relying on my GPS as I’m from Annandale and I’m still getting to know my way around.”

WSLHD Integrated & Community Health directorate acting director of nursing Jennifer Fitzsimons said that community health nurses help people avoid hospital visits while providing care to them in their home or at a community setting.

“Our nurses provide a vital service to clients with chronic and often complex health issues and are supported by a team of medical specialists,” Mrs Fitzsimons said.

“Our new nurses will visit post-surgical clients, dress wounds and assist clients who have chronic conditions such as heart failure, bladder or bowel issues.

“These ladies have recently completed their Bachelor of Nursing degree and gained a position in the WSLHD TPP nursing program. I applaud them for achieving positive results.”

Congratulations to our new nurses:

• Auburn Community Health Centre – Melissa Graf
• Parramatta Community Health Centre – Eleonora Purnama
• The Hills Community Health Centre – Abigail Ryan
• Blacktown Community Health Centre – Fiona Ou
• Mount Druitt Community Health Centre – Audrey Figues

The transition to professional practice program offers nurses and midwives the opportunity to work in various WSLHD community health centres and hospitals while supporting their journey to becoming a registered nurse or midwife. For further information about the TPP program, visit: WSLHD-TPP@health.nsw.gov.au