Mater’s dedicated and diverse team of Springfield nurses are putting the international into International Nurses’ Day.

More than 100 of the 166 nurses working at Mater Private Hospital Springfield were born overseas, making them one of the most multicultural health workforces in Queensland.

They will be joining health workers around the world in celebrating International Nurses Day 2023 on Friday May 12 – the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.

The hospital’s Acting Director of Clinical Services, Tilana van Deventer, moved to Australia from South Africa and co-ordinates a nursing team which hails from the Philippines, India, China, Zimbabwe, the UK, Spain, Russia, Ireland, New Zealand, Korea, Pakistan, Austria and the former Yugoslavia.

“We’re so lucky to have a phenomenal group of nurses working here in Springfield,” Tilana said.

“We have nurses from all over the world – as well as lots of Aussies of course! – but we are all one team. We have a single goal each day and that’s to make positive impact on our patients’ lives.”

Clinical Nurse Smitha Merrish moved to Australia from Kerala in India 13 years ago and has lived and worked in Springfield since 2018.

“Our hospital is a very friendly place to work and partly that’s because so many of us live in the community, as I do,” Smitha said.

“Springfield is such a nice and welcoming place to live. I can walk to work every day and even grow my own veggies at home because the Queensland climate is like Kerala’s. I love it here!” 

Clinical Nurse Sarah Crossland moved to Australia from Leeds in the UK 13 years ago and joined the team at Mater Private Hospital Springfield two years ago.

“In nursing you always work as team, but everyone here is extra friendly – it really is like a family,” she said.

“Everyone one mucks in to help each other out and I love that it’s so multicultural.

“Everybody brings their own experiences and culture to the workplace – as well as food! People are always bringing in food to share, which I love – Indian and Filipino food is the best.”

Mater Private Hospital Springfield opened in 2015 and construction work is currently underway on its stage 2 expansion.

The new Mater Hospital Springfield will provide the community with its first emergency department, intensive care unit and Mater’s renowned maternity services – ensuring local women can give birth in their own community.

The project will also deliver 174 public beds for Springfield and Western Corridor – meeting the community’s health needs for decades to come.