My mother was a nurse and my sister became a midwife, so it was no surprise when I started working as an Assistant-in-Nursing at Selangor Private Hospital in Nambour in 1980 when I was just 17 years old.

Over the next 10 years, I had four kids and worked as a nurse between babies.

In 1989, I started working at Redcliffe Hospital and did further training at Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1990, before returning to Redcliffe as a casual doing mainly holiday relief in operating theatre.

I applied for the permanent full-time position at Caboolture Hospital operating theatres and started in December 1993.

Before the operating theatres opened, I assisted in setting up instrument trays and ensuring all necessary anaesthetic equipment was available in preparation for surgeries to begin at the end of January 1994.

It was good working at Caboolture in the early days as we were like a family, being a small group of us and working as a team.

I have been an advanced practice Enrolled Nurse since 2000. We still have a great team and I enjoy the good rapport we have with the surgeons and anaesthetists.

One of my daughters, Cara, had both her children at Caboolture Hospital and I was fortunate to be working both times, so I could duck around to birth suite to visit her and see my new grandchildren.

I am transitioning to retirement now for the next two to three years when I can finally start travelling around Australia after all the overseas travel.

I love hiking and still plan to keep doing that after retirement as there are so many beautiful countries with so much to see.

Even after I leave, I’ll still be connected to the hospital as Cara works here now.

Cara is a very competent, reliable hard worker and I knew she would fit in and be a perfect team member for the administrative team at Caboolture Hospital, so I encouraged her to apply when the opportunity came up.

I hope she enjoys a long career here as much as I have.

Cara Moreau, Administration Officer

Growing up with a mother who is a nurse has its ups and downs.

Pretending to be sick to stay home from school never worked and you learn to be tough because if you get hurt you know you will be told you’re fine and to walk it off.

As an adult, I truly appreciate how hard my mum worked and she inspires with me with how much she cares about her colleagues and her patients and how much she lives life. She is truly an amazing woman.

While I didn’t want to follow her footsteps and become a nurse, she did encourage me to work at the hospital.

I’ve been here for three years now as an Administration Officer on the wards, in Pharmacy and Central Admissions, and I love it.

Every day I get to talk with patients and their families and help them any way I can.

Have you got a story to share? Email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au.