Catherine Chamberlain is a familiar face for many walking into the Mater Private Hospital at Mackay, and it’s no wonder, she’s been there for 40 years.
The grandmother of eight has worked in every ward at the hospital over the years, except in theatre.
“I did help out a few times in theatre, but never had a shift on the ward,” Ms Chamberlain said.
“It’s great to try them all, then if you don’t like it you know.”
Ms Chamberlain started working with Mater in 1981 before taking time off to care for her family. She returned in 1986 and has been there ever since. For the last 30 years she has been providing comfort and support to palliative patients in their final days.
“I always thought I would be a surgical nurse but there was a gap in the palliative ward about 30 years ago, I offered to help for a week or two and I’m still here,” Ms Chamberlain said.
“I’m here for the people. When you walk in a room and the patient or family say, ‘You’re here’ and you instantly see relief on their face, that’s what I do it for.
“In palliative care you know everything humanly possible has been done for them, and you’ve got to be there to make them comfortable.”
Ms Chamberlain’s two daughters followed in her footsteps by becoming nurses.
“My eldest joined me on a few shifts when she was a student nurse, it was a proud moment,” Ms Chamberlain said.
“In my early years I also worked with my brother, who was an enrolled nurse, but he went onto teaching.”
In high school Ms Chamberlain dreamt of being a science teacher, but having family members working as nurses, she fell into a role at the hospital and now says she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
“You don’t need much reward in this job – just a nice smile is enough,” she said,
“You’re there to help and people really do appreciate it.”
Mater Private Hospital Mackay will celebrate International Nurses Day on May 12 – a chance for all our nurses to honour the profession and the care they provide for their community.
Mater Private Hospital Mackay General Manager Karen Wade said Mater was incredibly lucky to have Ms Chamberlain caring for the community.
“Forty years is remarkable, and we are deeply thankful for Catherine’s dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to her team, patients and their families,” Ms Wade said.
“Our exceptional nursing team plays a crucial role in our community and each day they show up wholeheartedly and without hesitation for our patients.”
