Six local people have been awarded nursing scholarships from Bundaberg Health Services Foundation to further enhance their skills through ongoing study.
The Winnie May Scholarship honours nurse Winnie May, who devoted her life to nursing.
Mrs May was the niece of Dr Thomas May, founding father of Bundaberg Hospital in 1879.
The scholarship is funded by Dr May’s descendants, and since it began in 2004 more than $117,500 has funded nurse education, including $10,000 this year.
The Foundation funds the Melanie Robinson Midwifery Award in honour of Mel who passed away as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Melanie was a previous recipient of the Winnie May Scholarship.
Winnie May nursing scholarships
Amanda English
Amanda has worked at the hospital for more than six years in most departments. She is currently working in the Short Stay Unit. Amanda is passionate about learning and teaching and has decided to resume learning to eventually become either a clinical educator or clinical nurse consultant.
Nick Nijkamp
Nick began his career at the Bundaberg Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit and now works in the Operating Theatre. He wants to continue to grow his skill through the completion of a Masters of Nursing (Anaesthesia and Recovery Room).
Amanda Evans
Amanda has worked in the Emergency Department for eight years and has worked in all area including resuscitation and trauma. Amanda began a Masters of Nursing this year and will be awarded $2000 to compete the degree. Amanda aims to improve the quality of care delivered to patients in the emergency department.
Melanie Robinson nursing scholarships
Michelle Shield
Michelle has worked in the Bundaberg Family Unit at the Bundaberg Hospital for four years. Michelle will be awarded $1000 to undertake a Masters in Primary Maternity Care. This will grow Michelle’s knowledge base as a midwife and enhance her clinical skills. It will also enable her to provide a higher level of education to midwifery students.
Jodie Lee Nowland
Jodie Lee has worked in the Paediatric Ward and Family Unit since 2017. She will be awarded $1000 to assist with her current studies in a Bachelor of Midwifery and a Graduate Certificate in Special Care of the Neonate. Jodie Lee is dedicated to providing optimal nursing care to women, children and their families through the additional skills she will gain from her study.
Emily Sorbie
Emily is currently working in the Special Care Nursery and has previous experience in the paediatrics ward. Emily will be awarded $1000 to assist with her studies in a post-graduate certificate in special Care Nursery. Emily is looking forward to utilising her new skills that that will enable her to provide relevant and up to date care to Neonates, infants and their families.
Emily and Jodie both work in the neo-natal unit at the Bundaberg Hospital.
They both said they were surprised to receive awards and said it was a privilege.
As a registered nurse, Emily said there was something very special about working with not only new born infants, but also the parents in the special care nursery.
“It may seem weird, but it’s the little things like helping a parent give their baby its first bath, helping with breastfeeding or when the infant puts on weight for the first time that is so special,” Emily said.
Jodie agreed, saying it was the simple things that made what they did worth every moment.
“It really is just a privilege,” Jodie said.
“And I’m surprised and grateful for the award tonight.”
Congratulations
“The Foundation congratulate all six (nursing scholarship) recipients and is confident that their ongoing skills development will benefit both the hospital and its patients but also the wider Bundaberg community,” manager Anne McWhirter said.
- Health Services Foundation supports hospital
