Member profile: Helen Storer

Registered nurse, North Beach, Western Australia

Could you briefly tell us about your nursing journey and why you chose to be a nurse?

I commenced my nursing training at Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital in Perth in 1979, being the last cohort that obtained a Sick Children’s Certificate as well as a general certificate. I chose to be a nurse as I came from the country and it allowed me to study and get paid at the same time. My mum and both my aunties were nurses and my older sister commenced her enrolled nursing around the same time.

What prompted you to work in primary health care?

By 1986 I had already completed my midwifery and met my husband who was a general practitioner. We had spent some time working in the UK before we came back to Perth in order for him to complete his obstetrics and gynaecology training. After completing this we headed to the country, two hours from Perth for him to be a solo general practitioner. By this time I already had one child and had started working in our very first general practice two mornings a week. I had great support from the community health nurse and one of the receptionists who was a nurse and knew everyone. I laugh now as we had a one megabyte computer for accounts and there was no practice steriliser.

Find a mentor outside of their own practice. Someone who can listen when things go wrong, identify what changes you can make, support you through career changes, and help give you some perspective

After three years I had another baby and we headed back to a small group practice in the city. I commenced working in community and child health, and returned to general practice nursing a year later after the arrival of my third child. I have slowly increased my hours as my children have grown and now work three days per week.

In your opinion, what are you particularly good at as a nurse?

I think I am good at providing support and education to patients both young and old. Being a small practice, I know most of the patients very well. I receive a lot of “thank God it’s you” moments from patients who see me, as they don’t want to bother the doctor with queries about their treatments. Mostly, they tell me their latest news and just need support.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I really enjoy making a difference to the lives of patients who are isolated and have no family close by.

The one thing all primary health care nurses should know is...

To find a mentor outside of their own practice. Someone who can listen when things go wrong, identify what  changes you can make, support you through career changes, and help give you some perspective.

What’s your biggest workplace challenge at the moment?

The biggest workplace challenge at the moment is keeping up to date with all the changes such as item numbers, Health Care Homes, vaccinations, recommendation for screenings and the budget.

What are you passionate about (at work)?

I am passionate about my role in supporting the chronically ill as well as helping young mums, the elderly, carers or drug addicts who don’t have a support network.

How has being an APNA member helped your career?

APNA has allowed me to reach out to other primary health care nurses, learn new skills and have a better understanding of the direction I want my career to take. I have developed my public speaking skills by presenting at conferences, reviewing training modules and mentoring general practice nurses. I love every minute of it.

What was the last thing you’ve learnt (professionally or clinically)?

Today I did my first ear syringe since completing the ear syringing course. I also learnt about an audit tool from NPS that will allow our practice to embrace more continuous quality improvements.

What would you like to learn this year?

This year I would like to learn more about dementia, its prevention and management. I wish to share my knowledge with our local community encouraging people to be involved in their own health care.

Source: Primary Times Autumn 2018 (Volume 18, Issue 1)