Going into surgery can feel like a scary prospect.
After you change into surgery clothes, a nurse and orderly wheels you into the pre-op area where the last face you are likely to see before going under anaesthesia might be Amy Hunter’s.
Amy Hunter is a perioperative nurse and has been named West Moreton Health’s Nurse of the Year.
“When people are coming to the operating theatre they are usually feeling quite vulnerable,” Mrs Hunter said.
“They have a loss of control and they are placing their trust in us and what we do.
“It is something that we take seriously.
“We spend time explaining to them what’s going to happen, that they are safe and that we will be with them the whole time.”
Mrs Hunter was born in the Ipswich Hospital and has spent most of her life living and working in Ipswich.
She is an Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School old girl and has worked at the Ipswich Hospital for the past 14 years.
“I have been a nurse for 23 years and most of that time I have been a perioperative nurse,” Mrs Hunter said.
“I love coming to work and I am very comfortable in my role and I have been given the opportunity to do some clinical development facilitation and it’s good to now be able to share my knowledge and skill.
“I especially enjoy seeing new nurses whose development I have contributed to, performing independently.”
Becoming a nurse was a childhood dream for Mrs Hunter as she watched her sister suffer from asthma.
She also remembers spending time in hospital watching while her pop’s health decline.
“I remember watching the nurses busily providing care taking and recording observations and taking the time to get to know the patient and their families,” Mrs Hunter said.
“I thought that this was something that I could see myself enjoying.”
2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
This year also coincides with the 200th year of the birth of Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing.
“It was quite a shock to me nominated by my colleagues for Nurse of the Year,” Mrs Hunter said.
“As a nurse I love working as part of the team and am extremely fortunate to work as a part of the Ipswich hospital perioperative team.
“I feel well supported by my nursing colleagues and the multidisciplinary team, who all work together for the safe delivery of care to our patients.
“As a nurse I aim to provide the quality of care that I would want for myself or my family.”
Mrs Hunter’s other great love in life are her children Harry and Patrick.
Nurse of the Year
West Moreton Heath chief executive Kerrie Freeman said Amy Hunter works hard and without fanfare to give the best care to her patients and share her knowledge and skills with her colleagues.
Amy received many nominations from peers, managers and other staff who talk of how her everyday behaviour models the values of connecting, respecting and excelling that WMH staff live by.
Her nominations describe her as a teacher, mentor and professional nurse who inspires those around her and helps them achieve their best.
