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“I’ve loved my career”.
Joanna Perks is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at the Liverpool Women’s Health Centre. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Joanna completed midwifery training and “found myself working in primary healthcare”. Later, Joanna pursued a family planning course and continued to advance her primary healthcare career.
How long have you been a practice nurse, and how long have you been working in South Western Sydney?
I have worked as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Liverpool Women’s Health Centre since 2011.
When/why did you decide to pursue a career in nursing and, specifically, in primary care?
My mother was a nurse and midwife who passed away in 1975. I grew up in a rural area where my mother worked at the local hospital. After completing my midwifery training, I found myself working in primary healthcare. Later, I did a family planning course in the late 1980s, and my career progressed from there.
Tell us about the role of nurses in primary care.
I work as a nurse practitioner and play a crucial role in promoting good healthcare. My responsibilities include conducting preventive health check-ups, offering contraception and sexual health services, and providing midwifery care whenever possible. Most of our patients come from marginalised communities, and our women’s health centre is always bustling with activity.
What do you love about nursing/what do you find most fulfilling about your role?
Being a nurse practitioner offers a lot of variety and the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. I appreciate the collegiality and the chance to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like spending time with my grandchildren, playing the piano and sewing.
Do you have any role models, and why?
My role models are Frida Khalo, the most amazing woman, and my mother, who was gone too soon.
How do you help educate your patients about maintaining good health?
As part of my role, I do education groups and talks. We deliver groups for young women, and I have also been a childbirth educator.
I’ve loved my career.