For years, Sarah Fenelon’s job ended at the emergency department doors. As a paramedic, she would bring patients in, hand them over and head back out. But she kept wondering what came next.
“I just became intrigued with what happens when I drop the patient off,” she says. “What are the nurses doing on the other side? I would love to learn those skills.”
Now a critical care nurse at Werribee Mercy Hospital, Sarah, 35, has found those answers, and plenty more.
Her career began 12 years ago with a double degree in nursing and paramedicine. After a graduate year in Melbourne’s east, she headed overseas, working as a camp nurse at a summer camp in America before moving to London as a paramedic.
“That was very challenging and fun,” she says.
Back home, she worked in critical care at The Alfred before moving to the suburbs and applying at Werribee Mercy Hospital. She started as a casual in 2023 and went permanent a year ago.
Despite her time at a major trauma hospital, Sarah says Werribee is where she has grown the most.
“At Werribee, your job involves a lot more skills as you work with a diverse range of patients. It’s been challenging and I’ve learnt the most in my career as a critical care nurse at WMH compared to anywhere else I’ve been,” she says.
For nurses thinking about making the move, she says the career path is a big drawcard.
“There are also quicker pathways to get from general nursing to critical care than at a larger metro hospital. That’s an incentive for people as well.”
Sarah is looking forward to the opening of the new Emergency Department in particular the increased size of the resus bays, a fast track zone behind triage and a new ambulance offload area.
“It will be like a whole new job. I hope we can keep it sparkly clean,” she laughs.
Now a mother of two young children, Sarah says Werribee Mercy Hospital has been a standout chapter in her nursing career.
“Werribee Mercy Hospital has been a real highlight in my career. I would recommend it to any young nurse who is curious.