Sarina nurse Susanne Murray has been recognised for her 50-year career during a time when the world needs her profession the most.
Her achievement comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while it has also fallen during the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.
Honoured with the Nurse Specialty award at the recent Mackay Hospital and Health Service International Nurses Day celebrations comes as no surprise when you look at Susanne’s experience.
An occupational health nurse, rural generalist nurse, midwife, licensed x-ray operator are just some of the titles she has achieved since her early days in Gatton.
“When I was 15 I got my first job in a maternity and child welfare home in Gatton and I knew then I would have a career in nursing,” she said.
She started her general nurses training at Ipswich Hospital in 1967 and her midwife training at the Mater in Brisbane before spending 20 years at Oaky Creek Mine as an occupational health nurse.
For the past 12 years she has been working as a rural generalist nurse at Sarina Hospital where she was nominated by colleague Sonia Wright for the award.
“Susanne is a wonderful nurse, she shares her knowledge and skills freely and is compassionate and supportive to her patients and colleagues,” said Sonia.
In her spare time Susanne actively gives to many worthwhile causes and says the time she has spent doing volunteer work have been some of her most memorable.
“I have volunteered as a nurse on a hospice ship in Papua New Guinea, eye testing in Nepal, but one of my most memorable was travelling to Africa to deliver a measle immunisation program.”
