Practice nurse Fiona Gorgis believes building long-term relationships with her patients is key to ensuring their health and wellbeing. Working out of both Carnes Hill and Prestons Medical Centres, the dedicated professional loves South Western Sydney’s strong sense of community and the opportunity it offers her to care for a diverse patient population.
How long have you been a practice nurse and how long have you been practising in South Western Sydney?
I have been working as a practice nurse for over two years in South Western Sydney. I began my nursing career at a medical centre in this region, where I continue to practise today.
When/why did you decide to pursue a career in nursing and specifically in primary care?
I decided to pursue a career in nursing, specifically in primary care, because I am a passionate individual who is committed to caring for patients within my community. I find great fulfilment in supporting those in need, building trust and meaningful connections, and developing friendly, professional relationships with my regular patients.
Being able to provide continuity of care and to be a familiar and supportive presence for patients makes them feel comfortable and confident in their care. Therefore, this role has further strengthened my dedication to primary care.
Tell us about the role of nurses in primary care
The role of nurses in primary care is to focus on prevention, chronic disease management and health promotion. It is my duty of care to uphold and maintain these key focus areas for my patients.
To fulfil these responsibilities, I provide essential first point-of-contact care, which includes health assessments, patient education, immunisations and ongoing support for individuals with chronic conditions.
Through building strong therapeutic relationships and delivering evidence-based care, nurses play a vital role in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall health of the community. By promoting early intervention and continuity of care, primary care nurses contribute significantly to reducing illness and supporting long-term wellbeing.
What do you love about nursing and what do you find most fulfilling about your role?
What I find most fulfilling about nursing is the opportunity to care for patients within my community and to make a positive difference in their lives. Nursing is an extremely rewarding profession, as it allows me to support individuals in times of need and contribute to their health and wellbeing.
I take great satisfaction in helping patients feel supported, informed, and cared for, and it brings me joy to see them become healthier and happier through the care I provide. Knowing my role has a meaningful impact on my patients’ lives is what motivates me and reinforces my passion for nursing.
Tell me about your ideal workday?
My ideal workday as a practice nurse begins with logging into my clinical systems and reviewing the appointment schedule to understand the patients booked for the day. I often manage a high volume of immunisations and wound dressings in the morning, and I prepare all necessary equipment for each patient prior to their appointment.
When time allows between consultations, I review patient records to identify those who are due or eligible for immunisations, health assessments and care plans, and I send recall and reminder notifications to support preventative care and maintain patient wellbeing.
I also register consenting patients with MyMedicare and ensure all clinical notes are accurately documented. I value working collaboratively with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive timely and effective care.
In addition, I organise and maintain the treatment room by checking all medications in the medical trolley, doctor’s bag and immunisation fridge are fully stocked and within expiry dates. I also sterilise the area and ensure all surfaces and equipment are clean and safe for patient care.
If medications are approaching expiry, I arrange replacement stock in advance by coordinating with the doctor and pharmacy, and I order immunisation supplies through the NSW Health website. I monitor and record the immunisation refrigerator temperature daily in accordance with the Strive for 5 guidelines.
I also conduct regular stock checks across the practice, including treatment and doctors’ rooms, to ensure all equipment and supplies are available and in date. Furthermore, I review sample medications to ensure their validity and inform doctors of available stock so they can be provided to patients when appropriate. Through these daily responsibilities, I contribute to safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care within the medical centre.
What do you love most about South Western Sydney?
What I love most about South Western Sydney is the strong sense of community and the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population. As a practice nurse, I value being able to support individuals and families from different backgrounds and to build long-term relationships with my patients.
What motivates you to work in our region?
Working in this region allows me to build long-term relationships with my patients and better understand their health needs through continuity of care. I am particularly motivated by the ability to contribute to preventative health, chronic disease management and health education within my community.
Being able to support patients in a familiar and trusted environment inspires me to remain committed to working in South Western Sydney and to continue developing my skills in primary care nursing.
Do you have any role models and why?
My role models are the healthcare professionals I work alongside in primary care. I admire their commitment to patient care and professionalism and their ability to manage a wide range of clinical responsibilities with confidence and compassion.
They have guided and supported me in developing my clinical skills, communication and understanding of patient-centred care. Their dedication to supporting the community and maintaining high standards of practice motivates me to continue growing as a nurse and to provide the best possible care to my patients. Having role models within my workplace has encouraged me to strive for excellence and to approach my role with empathy, responsibility, and integrity.
How do you help educate your patients about maintaining good health?
I help educate my patients about maintaining good health by providing evidence-based health information which is tailored to their individual needs. I take time to explain the importance of preventative care, including vaccinations, regular health checks and healthy lifestyle choices such as balanced nutrition, physical activity, and stress management.
I also educate patients about managing chronic conditions by discussing medication compliance, monitoring symptoms, and attending follow-up appointments. By building trusting therapeutic relationships and encouraging open communication, I ensure patients feel comfortable asking questions so they can understand how to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.
