A Gisborne nurse, who has been assessing and tending to the health needs of patients for close to 25 years, is in the running for a major national award.
Woodend resident Jane Goldsmith, who splits her time between being a general practice nurse at Gisborne Medical Clinic and a midwife at Kilmore Hospital, will travel to Brisbane on Thursday night as a finalist in the Australian Nursing Awards.
Ms Goldsmith says her nomination in the nurse of the year category came as a complete surprise.
‘‘It’s nice, but I really feel in many ways that I’m representing other nurses,’’ she says.
Ms Goldsmith was nominated for her work to develop local nurse networks, providing support to and mentoring other nurses. She also helped establish immunisation and PapScreen clinics.
Ms Goldsmith says that while nursing remains hard work, she’s grateful to have a job she can be passionate about.
‘‘There’s the variety, the diversity, but essentially it’s the ability to make a difference to people’s lives at a time when they might be quite vulnerable.
‘‘It’s an incredibly special job.’’
