Australia's nurses and midwives: sharing our stories: the ANF's new Australia's nurse and midwives. You couldn't be in better hands campaign kicked off late August. This month we profile some of your stories--the work you do on a daily basis.

• Jurisdiction: Australia
• Date: 01 October 2012

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Ben Gorrie

Helping the future generation

ANF VICTORIAN BRANCH MEMBER AND PROJECT COORDINATOR OF THE VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL NURSING AND MIDWIFERY CADETSHIP PROGRAM AT ST VINCENT'S HOSPITAL, MELBOURNE

Ben Gorrie, a Gunai/Kurnai man from East Gipplsand and Registered Nurse has a very big passion for Education.

He has been instrumental in helping set up a pilot cadetship program for Aboriginal nurses and midwives to support and create access for Aboriginal people in the health workforce.

The 12-month pilot project is funded by the department of Health in Victoria; it involves a partnership with the Royal Women's Hospital and St Vincent's Health to fund four Indegenous students from each hospital. "There is a need for mainstream hospitals to support the increase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals," says Ben.

The cadetship provides undergraduate second and third year nursing students with an extra 12 weeks clinical placement, supervised buddied with a nurse. "This gives them an extra 12 weeks clinical placement, that's an extra 50% of clinical placement than other students," says Ben. "Through the course they are able to develop and perfect their skills and become more comfortable and confident in their abilities."

The pilot started in March with four students, ranging in ages and from different universities. Jason is a third year nursing student from RMIT; Marley is a second year from Victoria University; and Alysha and Davinea are second year students from Deakin University. Ben says it wasn't that easy to recruit as most Aboriginal students have dropped out by their third year. "Already these students are a cut above the rest because of the shortlist."

Clinical placements have included the emergency department, hospital in the home, anaesthetics, medical, and mental health.

"It has been really good up on the wards, and the staff have enjoyed their company," says Ben. "The students won't get preferential treatment on graduation but they will already have gained insight and skills at the hospital, which St Vincent's is hoping will encourage them to apply for a graduate position."

"It's a really big sense of achievement in helping the future generation of our Aboriginal nurses," says Ben. It sets up these students to be brilliant nurses. It is a great opportunity. If this program had been offered when I was a student I would have loved it."

Ben is the only one of his family to graduate from university. "When I went to university, I had two older brothers and sisters, none of whom went to university.

I struggled a lot at university, if I'd had a brother or sister or parent to help with the assignments it would have helped.

"At university there are pressures and a lot of them are compounded for Aboriginal people. There is a lot of pressure from our communities to succeed. That's why this program providing mentoring is good." Ben started at St Vincent's in 2005; he then worked at the Royal Children's Hospital for two and a half years before he applied for his current position at St Vincent's Health. "It has been good to see everyone you build up those relationships over a long time."

Leanne Ehrlich pulling out all stops to make a difference

ANF ACT BRANCH MEMBER AND NEONATAL NURSE EDUCATOR ICU CANBERRA HOSPITAL.

Leanne Ehrlich says it's the variety in her role which has resulted in her working in neonatal intensive care for the past 24 years. "1 have done clinical, been an educator and done various other roles. I've looked after equipment, done relief work, and been part of the early discharge program."

Leanne became a midwife after she completed her general training. She worked at the Mater Mothers in Brisbane then worked in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) at Monash Medical Centre in Victoria, and has been in neonatal ICU at Canberra Hospital for 20 years. "Mostly it's a lot of variety. It's quite challenging." There is also a personal connection to the role for Leanne. "1 had 32 week old twins 16 years ago. My personal experience brings home the fact of how important the work is to the community."

"When working clinically, one of the biggest rewards in a big unit is the great sense of camaraderie when dealing with difficult situations, such as difficult resuscitations of newborns and with parents. We see very sick babies however we work as a team.

"We are happiest when we are busy, although it's rare to get a quiet day."

Recently a grandparent brought back her baby granddaughter to the ICU to see the staff. "She said that staff worked on her granddaughter non-stop for...