Nurse in the spotlight: Kelly Wakim

Caring for our most vulnerable - profiling Kelly Wakim

In recent weeks Mulgrave Private Hospital has been providing care to residents from Outlook Gardens Aged Care and Christian Retirement Village, as a result of the aged care facility having recorded multiple COVID-19 cases.

In celebrating World Health Organisation's 2020 international year of the nurse and midwife and the critical and incredible role nurses play contributing to patients, there is nothing more fitting than being able to highlight one of the spectacular nurses who has been caring for these aged care residents on our Harvie ward, Kelly Wakim.

Nurse in the spotlight: Kelly Wakim

Working at Mulgrave Private Hospital for the past 2 years of her 5 year nursing career, Kelly is usually found on our Kenny ward. In describing her recent experience on Harvie caring for our aged care residents, Kelly explains;

The transition of residents into our care happened quickly and while it was a busied and tense adjustment for all involved, being part of this team has been a very fulfilling experience - the teamwork has been extraordinary. Our team has worked together in an incredible way, it is a wonderfully supportive environment in which everyone helps each other, supports one another and helps to deliver these beautiful residents the best possible care we can.

• Have there been any standout moments for you during this time on Harvie ward? A moment that pulled on my heartstrings and caused me to shed a few tears was when one of our lovely residents Dorothy, had a visit from her daughter who stood outside and held a poster up to the window with a message to her Mum "we love you Mum". My tears were both of happiness in knowing the peace of mind it was for Dorothy's daughter to see her and know that she was in our care, but also of sadness in the heartache that is isolation. I look forward to the time when these wonderful residents can be reunited with their families.

• How has the morale been on Harvie ward? Little initiatives have made a huge difference to helping keep spirits up in the team. Each time we have a birthday on the ward, we all come together to decorate and celebrate. Every week we have also celebrated a 'resident of the week' across the ward and hospital.
  
  There has been plenty of artwork added to the walls - creating a beautiful, vibrant, colourful display that lifts the morale of everyone on the ward.
  
  This artwork has seen contributions from not only staff but also patients and patients' families! Ultimately, it has been a really supportive environment, Nurse Unit Manager Stephen Kennett has been a great support, checking up on our wellbeing regularly. We are all taking care of our patients and each other very well.

• What inspired you to become a nurse? A desire to help people! It was also very important to me to pursue a career in which I was not going to be stuck behind a desk.
• What do you enjoy most about your job? Quite simply: it's rewarding to make a difference in people's lives.

• What are your proudest nursing achievements? Completing my bachelor of nursing degree.

Mulgrave Private Hospital is grateful to have the wonderful Kelly on board, her commitment and dedication to delivery quality patient care to our aged care residents, all the while maintaining composure and positivity, is to be commended, as is the rest of the incredible team of nurses, clerical staff, environmental services and specialists, who have all rallied together with quality patient care the driving force behind their exceptional teamwork.