Meet real nurses and midwives

Registered Midwife, King Edward Memorial Hospital
Brooke Jones, 2011 Graduate of the Year

What do you do?

In my position as a midwife at King Edward Memorial Hospital, the work I do ranges from pregnancy check-ups, to labour and care of the newborn and new mother in hospital and at home. I have been a midwife for one year. Before this I was a registered nurse for two years, working in various surgical specialties including spinal, plastics, and intensive care at Royal Perth Hospital.

As a nurse and midwife I have experienced working in health care in Kenya, India, Thailand, Sierra Leone, and most recently Tanzania and hope to work in the field of international health throughout my career.

What are the benefits of being a nurse or midwife?

It is a privilege to enter the lives of others when they need support and provide them with the best possible care. Nurses and midwives have a well appreciated role in the community, and I love representing a profession that I am proud of.

In regard to volunteering abroad, I love learning about other countries and their cultures through health care. It gives you insight into the lives of others that you would otherwise never learn.

Why did you choose nursing or midwifery as a career?

There are so many opportunities in the field of nursing and midwifery. It can take you anywhere around the world. You get great job satisfaction though helping others.

The world will always need nurses and midwives, so there is great job security. It is a job that can last a lifetime. Shift work can be of benefit as it means that you can work around family life.

What qualifications do you need?

I completed a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) at university to become a registered nurse and then a Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery to become a midwife.

I took all of the international practical placement opportunities that I could as a nursing student in order to improve my skills for working in health care in the developing world. This is what I want to do long term.

What do you love about your job?

I love learning about the world and the people in it. I love that every day I get to contribute to the lives of others, support them in challenging times, and encourage them. I can’t imagine a more fulfilling job.

I love how highly skilled we can become in our profession, with the option of specialising in so many fields. I have experienced firsthand the impact our profession can have, and everyday it brings me happiness.

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