Nurse of the Year is driven by passion

nursebedlam · May 13, 2004

NIKKI ROBERTS

Thursday, 13 May 2004

Newly-crowned Nurse of the Year, Bev Ferrari, believes all nurses deserve an award for the important but often exhausting work they do for their communities.

Ms Ferrari was presented with Dubbo Base Hospital's prestigious award as part of International Nurses Day celebrations yesterday.

The 320 nurses employed at Dubbo Base Hospital were asked to vote for Nurse of the Year, and while Ms Ferrari reckons every one of them is equally as deserving, she took home the award.

"It is quite humbling to have your peers vote for you, but it is also very nice to know that the other nurses think so much of you," Ms Ferrari said.

"I can think of so many other people that are just as deserving, and who put in a lot of hard work here at hospital.

"Nursing is very much a team effort - everyone looks out for one another and helps get the job done.

"No one leaves before anyone else if there's still work to do, and there's definitely a very friendly and supportive network of nurses here at Dubbo Base."

Director of Nursing Anthony Dombkins said the Nurse of the Year award was an opportunity to thank someone who has not only worked incredibly hard to make a difference in the hospital, but also someone whose efforts have gained the respect and recognition of their fellow nurses.

"Bev exemplifies what nursing is all about, and that is a high standard of professionalism, a strong dedication and commitment to patients and a genuine passion for what you do," Mr Dombkins said.

"Bev has that incredible passion for her job and all the people she comes across in Macquarie Area Health Service."

Ms Ferrari has been a nurse for more than 30 years, starting off her career as a 17-year-old in the first Preliminary Training School (PTS) class at Dubbo Base Hospital in the late 1960s.

She trained under nursing tutor the late George Hatch, and remembers studing as a lot easier back then when she was paid while she trained.

Currently working in the emergency department, Ms Ferrari said she has also had a lot of experience working in the general wards and obstetrics.

"One thing about our job is you never know what's going to come through the door, and you have to be prepared for anything," she said.

"But no matter how many years of experience someone has, you still get upset and things can affect you - you wouldn't be human if it didn't.

"But the mark of a good nurse is to follow protocol, be professional and make sure you are strong for the patient, because they need your support."

http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&category=general%20news&story_id=306453&y=2004&m=5