Welcome to our new monthly practice nurse profiles!
Jean Cristobal at Myhealth Medical Centre Fairfield has kindly agreed to be our first profile. Jean says choosing a career in nursing was the natural choice for her because she comes from a family of nurses. Learn more about Jean and the care she provides to her patients.
How long have you been a practice nurse and how long have you been working in the Fairfield LGA?
I have been a practice nurse for six years now and I have been working in the Fairfield LGA for one year.
When/why did you decide to pursue a career in nursing and specifically in primary care?
It was natural for me to choose nursing as a career path as I come from a family of nurses. I started my career in primary care and I haven’t looked back since.
Tell us about the role of nurses in primary care …
My role in primary care is to provide nursing care to our patients such as wound care, childhood and adult immunisations, emergency care, ear syringing, spirometry, ECG monitoring, asthma management, health assessments, assisting doctors with minor procedures, etc. As a practice nurse working with GPs we aim to provide optimal care to all our patients so I work hand-in-hand with the GPs to discuss appropriate nursing care for their patients.
What do you love about nursing/what do you find most fulfilling about your role?
What I love most about nursing is meeting patients from different backgrounds. The most fulfilling thing about my role in primary care is receiving positive feedback from patients and staff.
What is your biggest challenge as a practice nurse and how do you overcome this?
The biggest challenge as a practice nurse working in Fairfield LGA is the language barrier. Working in Fairfield I see plenty of patients whose first language is not English. It’s hard for me at times to get a better understanding of my patients’ needs. This is overcome by supportive staff who are always there to help translate.
Tell me about your ideal work day…
My ideal work day is when I’m busy and proactive during my shift. I am the type of person who doesn’t like to sit around all the time. I like to keep myself busy all the time.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a three-year-old son who keeps me busy at home. Spending time with family is important.
Do you have any role models and why?
My mum. She is also a registered nurse and she works in aged care. She’s a very hard worker.
How do you help educate your patients about maintaining good health?
I try my best to encourage patients to maintain good health by providing them with support and guiding them with the appropriate resources, and sharing my own experiences with them as well.