After three decades in aged care in a variety of roles, Sandra Ramsden discovered a passion for general practice nursing just four years ago. As a dedicated member of the caring team at HK Medical Centre in Fairfield Heights, she now embraces the opportunity to be part of the community and see her patients through the many phases of their lives.
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 at HK Medical Centre in Fairfield Heights for four and a half years.
When/why did you decide to pursue a career in nursing and specifically in primary care?
I decided very early on in my childhood I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps. She was an aged care assistant in nursing for more than 28 years.
I worked predominately in aged care for 30 years in various roles, including management, before being provided the unique opportunity to become a practice nurse. One of the doctors who I had come to know well was looking for a practice nurse for his Fairfield Heights clinic. I do not live in the area and had been away from general nursing for a long time so I was a little apprehensive, but also excited, to accept the role and I haven’t looked back since.
I do feel my extensive skills in aged care have assisted me well with our older patients and those living in the community with dementia and other age-related illnesses. I have also regained many of the skills for general nursing quite quickly.
Tell us about the role of nurses in primary care
As a practice nurse, I triage patients, attend wound care and monitor progress of wounds, conduct assessments on children and adults, administer vaccines and other medications as required. I assist doctors and our visiting surgeon with minor surgical procedures and attend ECGs and respiratory reviews.
I assist in monitoring and managing chronic conditions and participate in the Quality Improvement in Primary Care Program (QIPC) along with other programs conducted within the SWSPH region, such as Healthy Hearts, REFRAME (osteoporosis) and the winter program to improve flu vaccine uptake – to name a few.
I assist with reminders and recalls for ongoing patient care and maintain and monitor clinical stock and vaccines. I keep the GP consultation rooms in order and well stocked. I have been hosting nursing students on placements through APNA clinical placement program for the past two years to highlight the role of the practice nurse and help them decide whether to consider pursuing this themselves when they graduate.
What do you love about nursing/what do you find most fulfilling about your role?
What I love, and always have, about nursing is being given the privilege to help people in their time of need and have a positive impact on their experience.
The most fulfilling thing about my role is the variety and vast mix of people I encounter daily and becoming a part of the community where I can educate and deliver healthcare to patients and their families.
Tell me about your ideal work day
I start my day at 8.30am, checking the patient’s appointment list for the day, among several other jobs, and I finish generally around 4.30pm, although I have no hesitation in staying longer if it is required. Patients are our priority and I am fortunate enough to be able to spare the extra time now. I like to be kept busy.
What do you like to do in your spare time away from work?
I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my two young granddaughters.
My husband and I have more recently started to go on day trips, (weather permitting) exploring our beautiful city and coasts and finding little hidden gems we didn’t know existed. He is good at finding both beautiful walks to go on or places to visit and stay.
I also enjoy spending time with my mother and my in-laws and going out for lunch with them. They are all in the latter stages of life now so time with them is precious.
What do you love most about South Western Sydney?
I love the diverse cultures I have encountered, and I have found the community here to be very warm and welcoming, as I do not live in the area myself. I feel like I have been invited to become a part of an extended family.
What motivates you to work in our region?
My motivation is due to the place I work accepting me as part of their own community. I want to be able to assist and help those in need and have created many bonds with regular patients who trust me with their care. They will often walk down to my treatment room just to say hello.
Do you have any role models and why?
My husband as he gets me through things. My role as a nurse can sometimes be tough and overwhelming. He is my best friend, soulmate and rock of strength. Also, my mother who was an assistant nurse. Growing up with her working in aged care showed me nursing was my calling.
How do you help educate your patients about maintaining good health?
I try to lead by example and will share my own experiences if I feel it is appropriate. I have sometimes struggled to balance my own good health with my various nursing roles over the years. I like to use simple language and will even look up information on the computer with the patient present if I feel it will be of benefit to them. I provide information leaflets or printouts to patients to assist them, including those in other languages, such as Arabic or Chinese, so they understand what we are trying to achieve regarding the importance of their health and wellbeing.
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.
