On International Nurses Day last Monday, Ambulance Victoria (AV) celebrated all the nurses who work within the organisation or work alongside them to provide best care to patients across the state.
International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12, which is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the founder of modern nursing.
AV acting chief executive officer Anthony Carlyon said it is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the extraordinary contribution of nurses across the state.
“Every day, nurses work alongside us at AV to support our people, our patients and our community. They do so with skill, compassion and an unwavering commitment to best care,” he said.
“To all the nurses who bring their heart, expertise and dedication to every shift across AV, thank you. And to those who’ve transitioned from nursing into paramedicine, as well as those who continue to serve in both roles – we are deeply grateful for everything you do.”
Sue Carroll is a dedicated Remote Area Nurse (RAN) at Swifts Creek Bush Nursing Centre in East Gippsland. A critical role, RAN’s are dispatched to local Triple Zero (000) emergencies, at the same time as paramedics, where they provide front line emergency care and stabilisation in the event of a medical or trauma emergency until an Ambulance Victoria (AV) crew arrives.
RANs like Sue play an essential role in ensuring timely and effective emergency care in some of Victoria’s most isolated communities. Employed by Bush Nursing Centres, RANs are highly skilled professionals who not only deliver day-to-day healthcare but are also vital members of AV’s Co-Responder Programs. Their local presence, clinical expertise, and rapid response capabilities help bridge critical gaps in rural and remote emergency medical services, significantly improving outcomes for patients in need.
“Bush Nursing Centres and RANs play a vital role in rural and remote communities. The nearest hospital to Swifts Creek is in Bairnsdale, which is an-hour-and-a-half away,” Sue said.
“For emergencies, we are often the first on scene and provide care for members of our community but also people travelling through. Often the emergency calls are for motor vehicle incidents, but we also go medical calls like cardiac arrests or premature births.”
Thank you to all the nurses who support AV and patients across Victoria each and every day.
