Mercy Health will celebrate the important work carried out by its nurses and midwives this week as part of International Nurses Day.
The day is held around the world on May 12 each year, while International Day of the Midwife falls on May 5.
On May 11, Werribee Mercy Hospital will host an afternoon tea to thank nurses and midwives for their hard work and dedication to the community’s health.
The hospital employs 820 nurses and midwives, while Mercy Mental Health employs 295 nurses.
Mercy Mental Health nurse Sharon Redfern received a Mental Health Nursing Excellence award from the hospital last year.
Ms Redfern said that she had worked as a mental health nurse for nearly 29 years, including almost 10 years at Mercy Health.
“I started working as a nurse in the inpatient psychiatric clinic at Werribee Mercy Hospital before moving to the community mental health team as a case manager,” she said.
“In November, 2017, I moved to a new role, making sure patients have the right supports in place when they leave hospital.”
Ms Redfern said her favourite part of the job was receiving positive feedback from the families of patients, problem-solving and sharing her knowledge with graduate nurses.
Mercy Health nursing and midwifery executive director Adjunct Professor Sharon Donovan said the work of nurses and midwives was incredibly important.
“They look after people on some of the best and worst days of their lives,” Adjunct Professor Donovan said.
“It takes a special person to choose nursing or midwifery as a career.”
