Nurse in the spotlight: Elise Cowled

Profiling our Graduate Coordinator, Elise Cowled

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, through recognising and profiling some of the team and the incredible role they play.

Nurse in the spotlight: Elise Cowled

Elise commenced here at Mulgrave Private Hospital as a graduate nurse 8 years ago. In a relatively short space of time, Elise has, through her own hard work, dedication, passion and continual learning, progressed her nursing career to become the hospital's Graduate Coordinator, within the Practice Development Unit (PDU).

Being able to directly relate to the graduates coming through the program that she once started in, Elise now plays an important role in shaping the future nursing team at the hospital through selection, recruitment, support and management of the hospital's graduate program.

In describing what her role as Graduate Coordinator means to her, Elise explains;

It is a rewarding experience to be involved in the first year of a nurse’s career and it has been fantastic to see many continue their employment with Mulgrave Private Hospital.

• What inspired you to be a nurse?
  Throughout high school I always had an interest in health and biology which lead me to completing my Bachelor of Nursing. I did however also consider teaching as a profession. So now, working as the Graduate Coordinator, I feel I am able to combine and pursue both areas of passion simultaneously which is very fulfilling.

• What do you enjoy most about your job? As the Graduate Coordinator, I am very privileged to witness the journey of each individual graduate nurse. To see their growth from their very first day of nursing when they are feeling apprehensive and overwhelmed to celebrating their achievements at end of the program. It is a rewarding experience to be involved in the first year of a nurse’s career and it has been fantastic to see many continue their employment with Mulgrave Private.

• Tell us about your nursing journey and experiences: I began my nursing career in 2012 as a graduate nurse at Mulgrave Private Hospital. After completing my graduate program I continued my employment on Kenny ward, which at the time was a very fasted paced, 38 bed general surgical/colorectal ward.
  
  I was very grateful to be offered a scholarship to complete my post graduate studies in Clinical Nursing and Teaching which lead to me become a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and ultimately Graduate Coordinator.
  
  During my 8 years of employment, I have been fortunate to work with a diverse range of staff and have developed many close friendships during this time.

• What are your proudest nursing achievements? My proudest achievements throughout my nursing career have been the moments I know that I have been able to make an impact.
  The most humbling experience that comes to mind is when a relative thanked me and said that during a difficult time, that my positivity and a small gesture was the reason a young patient was able to share one last afternoon of fun and laughter with her friends and family.

Mulgrave Private Hospital is lucky to have Elise's proactive, enthusiastic and warm energy supporting and guiding our graduates.

A valuable asset to the hospital community, Elise also enjoys taking an active role in contributing to the betterment of the hospital culture and community, participating in the Employee Engagement Committee (EEC).