Summary
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the hospital, the nurses were stirring, making sure everyone was comfortable.
Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and being with family, but emergencies don’t even stop for Santa, and not everyone is well enough to be home for the holidays.
Luckily, Queensland’s hospitals are staffed with incredible teams of medical professionals who selflessly sacrifice their right to relax in favour of supporting those in need.
Assistant in Nursing Gabrielle Hallesy has just joined the West Moreton Health this month and will be working the night shift on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“I'm a bit excited, a bit nervous because I still have plans with my family, my partner, and his family so it’s going to be very busy, but I'm excited to work,” she said.
“I've been rostered on to take care of a four-bed bay, so I’ll be helping the patients in those beds if they need help moving around, or helping the registered nurses taking out cannulas or recording observations, and just generally helping out around the ward.
“I’m very much in the holiday spirit and we’re allowed to wear Christmas scrubs so it’s going to be great to make connections with the patients one-on-one and make it a bit more fun for them.
“It’s never ideal for anyone to be spending their Christmas in hospital, but we’ll try to bring a bit of brightness in.”
Now in her second year of a Bachelor of Nursing, Gabrielle previously worked in a dental facility but hopes to become a registered nurse.
“My auntie is a nurse and she’s always spoken so highly about it and told me all her stories about the surgical wards, so I’m really keen to get into surgical ward specifically,” she said.
“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since high school and my dad was always encouraging me, so that’s definitely motivated me as well.
“It’s so nice to work in an actual hospital and see all the registered nurses at work as that’s what I want to do – it’s really cool.”
Hospitals across the state will remain open over the Christmas and New Year period to support the care needs of our communities, but Queenslanders are urged to take care and have a safe and wonderful festive season.
To seek non-urgent medical advice, check out the Virtual Emergency Care Service from 8am to 10pm, or speak to a registered nurse 24/7 at 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).