Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg might not be the biggest hospital – but it has one of the best
nursing teams in Queensland.

That’s according to Monica Mooney, who began her nursing career in Bundaberg 25 years ago 
and now manages more than 90 nurses as Mater’s Perioperative and Patient Care Manager.

Monica will be celebrating the work of her colleagues – and nurses around the world – this 
International Nurses Day (Friday 12 May).
“Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg is not a major metro hospital, but our size is our strength,” the 
mum-of-two said.
“We are a close team who know one another really well – and that means we deliver great care 
for our patients.
“Our staff were finalists in six categories in the Mater People Awards last year and we won three of 
them. I’m so proud of how well we did and the work we do every day.”
Monica originally wanted to be an archaeologist, but her older sister Loretta convinced her that 
nursing would be a better career option. 

Both sisters were following in the footsteps of their grandmother, Rose Ryman, who worked as a 
nurse in Bundaberg during the Second World War.

“My grandmother never boasted, but she was quietly very proud that I followed her into a caring 
profession and into a job that really resonated with her,” Monica said.

“I attended university in Brisbane at ACU and in my post-graduate year I rotated through different 
speciality areas, including the operating theatres. 

“I found the idea of working in theatres a bit daunting, but once I started I never left!

“I love being a nurse because there are so many different roles – and all of them are vital.

“It’s a real privilege to care for patients when they are at their most vulnerable. They can be scared 
and anxious, but it’s your job to let them know that everyone in the room is there for them.”

More than 3,500 procedures are performed at Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg each year and 
the number is growing. Key specialties include orthopaedic, ENT, neurological and gynaecological 
surgery.

Hospital General Manager Catherine Hackney, who began her career as a Mater nurse, said her 
nursing team delivered exceptional, compassionate care to Wide Bay residents.

“Our nurses are highly skilled and focused on delivering high-quality care for all our private and 
public patients,” Ms Hackney said.

“Our standards of care are exceptionally high – and that’s down to the fantastic team of nurses we 
have here in Bundaberg.”