I have been nurturing a dream to become a nurse since I was seven.

This journey kicked off when my mum took me to our local hospital and I, a tiny Sherlock Holmes in the making, stumbled upon a young, dedicated and competent nurse.

I immediately declared to my mum, “I want to be just like her, with all her
kindness, respect, empathy, and a sprinkle of that great charisma!”

It was a good thing I didn’t discover a clown on that trip, I might have become a circus performer instead!

Growing up in the Philippines, the cost of a nursing degree was as elusive as a leprechaun’s pot of gold.

My clever mother gently nudged me towards a career in accountancy, using those pricey tuition fees as the perfect excuse.

So, I tackled a four-year accounting degree and dove headfirst into chartered accountancy, all while daydreaming about stethoscopes and band-aids.

After tying the knot, I finally told my late husband I didn’t enjoy counting numbers or playing office games.

My heart still beat for nursing, a passion that had remained all those years.

He, being the ever-supportive spouse, pushed me towards my dreams.

So, I went to England, dusted off my nursing scrubs, and eventually landed in sunny Australia in the year 2000.

I started at Caboolture Hospital in 2008, working as a Clinical Nurse in the Endoscopy Unit, and now I am a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC).

I love the people I work with and the dazzling diversity of my role.

One day, I’m consulting patients in Colon Consent Clinic – we received 1667 referrals in the last 12 months, the next I’m buried in piles of histopathology reports – those post-colonoscopy musings can be quite the page-turners, and then I might find myself in the middle of an upper GI bleed emergency.

It’s a bit like juggling chainsaws – my heart goes from 60 to 300 beats per minute, faster than a caffeinated hummingbird!

As a Gastro Nurse, my real joy lies in chatting with patients before their procedures.

I also get to be a mentor, coach and educate our new Endoscopy nurses.

If one of them learns a thing or two from my wild escapades, it’s like winning a gold medal in the Nurse Olympics.

My love for nursing is now a family affair.

My niece and nephew have joined the Registered Nurses club, which we call the “RN” gang at family gatherings.

When I’m not immersed in the world of medical marvels or navigating the maze of endoscopy adventures, I’m a full-time mum to my son, James, who is nearly 16.

He’s a maestro of orderliness and possesses an inquisitiveness that could put even the most curious cat to shame.

I also have a hobby that’s truly fetching—I’m a registered poodle breeder, specialising in red and apricot colours.

These poodles give me unconditional love and a good laugh with their antics.

Over the past decade, I’ve whelped and raised many adorable puppies, and some of them have grown up to become therapy dogs, working their charm in psychology settings.

So, whether it’s chasing dreams, racing hearts, or chasing after poodles, my life is a delightful blend of passion, laughter, and a few heart-pounding moments in between.

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