award winner raises profile of PBM

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Angie Monk from Ramsay Health’s Joondalup Health Campus in WA was recognised as Nurse of the Year in the 2016 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards.
 

HESTA recently caught up with Angie to hear how the HESTA award has given her a unique opportunity to share her knowledge about the new field of Patient Blood Management (PBM).

 

Kombi Clinic bucket hat and van

 

Angie Monk, Nurse of the Year 2016 at the HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards.  

 

How did it feel to win the HESTA Nurse of the Year award?

Other finalists were so deserving – I was very emotional and honoured to win. I’m proud to have represented Joondalup Health Campus and Ramsay Health Care.

With all the publicity around my win, I was recognised around Perth which was a nice surprise! It was fun to have all the attention and preening in preparation for photos and filming as well – this was a completely new experience for me. When the film crew came to Perth to film a HESTA ad that I appeared in, there was an opportunity to include my 92-year-old mum who loved being an extra. Many people still recognise my poodle Bonnie from the ad as well.

 

"Things have changed a lot over my 43 years in nursing and midwifery. We’re now valued more and recognised as key members of the health team, and we may lead innovation in our specialist areas. When I was nominated, I felt I was representing the nursing profession and all my colleagues."

 

How did you use the prize money?

The prize money gave me an opportunity to attend an international PBM conference in the USA, attended by leading experts in the field. I was then able to share the knowledge and insights into the latest developments and initiatives with my colleagues in Australia on return.

Whilst in the USA, I sat and passed the Patient Blood Management Certificate awarded by the Society for the Advancement of Blood Management (SABM).

The money also helped to fund a trip to India, where I presented the concept and benefits of PBM to a large audience of health professionals at Sagar General Hospital in Bangalore. 

"The award has raised my profile and that of PBM, providing many opportunities to be guest speaker at local and international forums."

 

Has the award helped you in the long term?

The award has raised my profile and that of PBM, providing many opportunities to be guest speaker at local and international forums. My personal gravitas has strengthened, and I’m now considered a subject matter expert in PBM by many. 

 

Would you recommend other people in the health and community services sector nominate others for an award? Why?

Often the people in our profession go about their daily work, receiving very little public recognition for their contribution. 

I believe the HESTA awards, and the publicity surrounding them, increase the profile of our profession, showcasing its achievements and the diversity of career paths.

Nominating individuals is a means to highlight and recognise achievement. The nominees are people who are committed to bringing about significant improvements in their field. For both nominees and winners, recognition from people in their own field is surely the highest honour.

 

Find out more about Angie's HESTA award win >

 

 

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