Madelyn

Madelyn is a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Perth Children's Hospital.

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I chose a career in nursing as I knew I wanted to provide high value healthcare to those who needed it most, in order to improve their quality of life. I knew it would be a challenging, but ultimately rewarding career, that would allow me to contribute positively to the lives of the most vulnerable.

Tell us about how you got this role

I applied for a graduate position at PCH through an online recruitment system called GradConnect. I created a profile and started an application. I selected PCH as my first preference and filled out the selection criteria they required. Later, I received a phone call where I was informed that I had been selected for an interview. A few weeks after the interview, I was contacted and offered a position as a graduate Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at PCH.

What are the best bits about working here?

The best things about working in ED at PCH are the children, staff and bright work environment. Despite how sick some of the children may be, they never fail to put a smile on your face. All staff members, whether they are nurses, doctors, clerks or patient support staff are incredibly welcoming and eager to help in any way possible.

What are the most challenging parts about working here?

The most challenging part about working at the hospital is not being able fix every problem for every child. It’s difficult to watch children fight a disease or injury and only being able to do so much to help them whilst you’re on shift. You often find yourself wishing you could take on their pain if it would only put them at ease.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a nurse?

I think the most rewarding thing about being an emergency nurse is seeing the change you can make to a fragile life in a short space of time. Some children come into the Emergency Department feeling awful - they’re very sick and very scared, but leave feeling much better, full of energy and back to their charismatic little selves. That is incredibly rewarding to see and to be a part of.