Nurse in the spotlight: Annika Carnell

Profiling our Theatre Perianaesthetic Associate Nurse Unit Manager

As the World Health Organisation's 2020 international year of the nurse and midwife continues, so too does our celebration of our own super star nurses, this time in theatres, through recognising and profiling some of the team and the incredible role they play.

Nurse in the spotlight: Annika Carnell

A nurse of 18 years, having joined the Mulgrave Private Hospital family 18 months ago, Annika brings a wealth of experience and expertise as our Theatre Associate Nurse Unit Manager, specialising also as a perianesthesia nurse (working with patients that are undergoing or recovering from anesthesia or sedation).

When asked what nursing means to her, Annika describes;

Having surgery can be a very daunting experience for patients. Being a nurse who makes that experience easier by caring for patients in a compassionate and professional manner is very important to me. Theatre is a critical care area that collides with complex equipment and a dynamic team, I have always enjoyed the challenge of nursing in this ever changing environment.

• What inspired you to be a nurse? I was inspired by an amazing nurse by the name of Ingrid who looked after me during my first visit to hospital. I was 9 years old living in Germany with my family, and at the time, parents were not allowed to stay overnight. While being scared and alone postoperatively, having a nurse like Ingrid made all the difference. She sat down and explained everything in a most reassuring manner. Ingrid was kind with incredible patience, and she even found time to play a board game!

• What do you enjoy most about your job? What I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to teach my fellow colleagues and students. I love to do this in an in-situ scenario format, where we turn one of our theatres into the classroom and run a full mock code. It is an opportunity to practice working together with staff from different departments through real life scenarios all coming together to learn.

• Tell us about your nursing journey and experiences: I have only worked at Mulgrave Private for the last 18 months. What I enjoy most about working at Mulgrave Private is the people, I feel very privileged to be included in the Mulgrave family.

• What are your proudest nursing achievements? Completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesia and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit Nursing.

Mulgrave Private Hospital is privileged to have the talented and passionate Annika delivering quality patient care to patients undergoing procedures involving anaesthetic.