For the second year in a row a Western Health nurse has scooped a national award for emergency nursing.
Sharyn Gregoor, a clinical nurse specialist at Footscray Hospital’s emergency department, has been named the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) 2016 Emergency Nurse of the Year.
Her Western Health colleague, Sarah Cornish, won the award in 2015.
Mrs Gregoor has worked in the emergency department at Footscray Hospital since 1998. “I’m one of those Footscray tragics,” she says with a laugh.
“I was born at Footscray Hospital, I did my general training at Footscray, I did my midwifery training at Sunshine Hospital and my emergency training at Footscray and the University of Melbourne.”
Years of experience have enabled her to mentor other staff, especially younger staff who may not know where to find particular resources in a big, multi-campus health service.
“If I see someone struggling with something I step in and I might guide them down the right path,” Mrs Gregoor says. “Usually it’s around problem solving or finding the right person in the department to help them.
“You don’t want to sound like you’re telling people what to do. But if I see something that’s not quite right I’m not afraid to speak up and make suggestions.”
Nurses across Australia working in emergency medicine in hospitals, clinics and other types of health services are eligible for the award.
Employers, such as hospital emergency departments, nominate candidates for the award. Employers must describe how their nominee excels in quality of patient care, mentoring and leadership.
Mrs Gregoor says she is humbled to win the award. She has worked at other health services but has always returned to Footscray.
“There’s something special and very welcoming about Footscray’s emergency department,” she says.
“I’m not the only one who’s noticed its special culture. Colleagues who’ve worked in hospitals overseas and around Australia have noticed it too. It’s a great team environment of nurses, doctors, administrative, clerical and ancillary staff who respect each other.”
