Nursing is much more than a job to Cherrie Vitalie, After Hours Hospital Manager at Mater Private Hospital Townsville.

Cherrie embarked on her nursing career in 1988. She has worked across Australia – from Stanthorpe, Mount Isa and Charters Towers to Palm Island, Melbourne, and Perth and now Townsville – joining the Mater team five years ago.

“There is so much I love about nursing. It is such a privilege to care for people at their happiest or darkest moments,” she said.

“It’s more like a calling. Great nurses are born.”

“I think I have a wonderful attribute that I am able to talk to people from all walks of life and to empathise,” Cherrie said.

It is the skills of communicating and empathising with people that make her an extraordinary nurse.

And she couldn’t be happier with the career path she chose to follow.

“To be honest, I think I could sell ice to the Eskimos!”

Cherrie shares some important lessons she’s learnt:

• Being kind cannot be taught, and patients are very smart and they know very quickly if you are not genuine.
• Wear your uniform with pride, show compassion and think about walking in the shoes of patients
• Experience everything the nursing profession has to offer.

Thank you to Cherrie and all our dedicated nurses at Mater Private Hospital Townsville.