When Mark started his first health job as a Wardsperson more than 30 years ago he never dreamed that he had embarked on a life-long journey to a rewarding nursing career.
Mark is the Clinical Nurse Consultant for the Older Persons’ Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Rockhampton, and it’s just where he wants to be.
He started as a trainee Wardsperson at Rockhampton Hospital in 1991 and moved to the mental health team in 1998.
He was given the chance to train as an Enrolled Nurse with the mental health team and, in true Mark style, grabbed that opportunity.
He completed his Registered Nurse studies in 2008 and remained in the mental health team. He did his Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing in 2022.
He moved from the Acute Care Team last year, where he was given the opportunity to backfill his current position as a CNC, until he was permanently appointed.
“I love it! We’ve got a good team here. We’re a small, close-knit unit and we work well together.
“It was an opportunity for a new challenge, so I took it with both hands and ran with it.”
Mark finds his work incredibly rewarding. Not only does he support people in their recovery, but in his senior nursing position he now supports others to do the same.
“It’s about gaining trust and understanding. We’re working with such a vulnerable group of people, getting their trust, and building a therapeutic rapport is vital in our everyday practice.
“We need to recognise and understand what they’re experiencing and relate to them on a human level.”
Mark has been offered positions in the private sector but has chosen not to take them because of the support and mentoring he has received in CQ Health.
He loves the lifestyle in Rockhampton, being close to Brisbane and the north, and close to beautiful beaches and other rural areas.
Outside of work, Mark and his wife keep busy running their property and supporting their children in their sporting activities.
If you’re looking at building a rewarding career of your own, and working in part of a supportive, close-knit team like Mark, apply now!
We are recruiting experienced Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Allied Health Clinicians (Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurses, and Social Workers).
Applications close: 22 August 2024