Despite their training happening decades apart, nurses Melanie Pannekoek and Anne Heyme were brought to the hospital ward in a similar way.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"If I'm being truthful, I probably did it because my mother and sister did it," Mrs Heyme said.
"But I loved my training at St Vincent's, then I came down to Wagga and Albury."
Likewise, Ms Pannekoek's grandmother and mother donned the scrubs before her.
"It's in the genes - but after my first year as an assistant in nursing, I loved taking care of the residents at my aged care facility," she said.
The women - now working at the Albury Wodonga Private Hospital - share their motivation too, which was celebrated on International Nurses Day.
"I think it's [nursing] about helping people in their time of need," Ms Pannekoek said.
"They're potentially in the worst time of their life, so it's about making their stay better and their recovery faster."
Ms Pannekoek has shared the medical-surgical ward with Mrs Heyme for only three months, but has already learned much from her experienced colleague.
"I'm doing my two-year graduate rotation here in the inpatient ward," she said.
"It's good having those wiser people in your life to help you."
As assistant director of nursing, and with 32 years at the hospital under her belt, Mrs Heyme enjoys mentoring the graduate nurses - who are entering the workforce in incredible circumstances.
"I think they have a lot to offer, they're very knowledgeable and add a lot to our workforce," she said.
"We haven't had anything that's even resembled this [COVID-19] over my time.
"It has been a different way of thinking and implementing a lot of changes to the workplace."
Mrs Heyme said there had been many highlights in her career.
"I've seen this hospital grow from one small ward to three wards, and we've implemented high-dependency and cardiac cath, and increases our theatres," she said.
"That's been fantastic and I've met some wonderful directors and CEOs along the way
"It's a rewarding profession and it is lovely to be recommended for the work we're doing because in some circumstances it can be challenging."
Mrs Heyme said the secret to success in a career of nursing remained the same.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"I think first and foremost is probably kindness and customer service," she said.
"Being able to listen to the needs of the patients - that's sometimes all you need to do."
Ramsay Health Care celebrated its 400-strong workforce across its three sites on International Nurses Day, by purchasing 400 meals from local businesses.
