What makes us strong
Published: 14 February 2011
As I begin my tenure as QNU President I am cognisant of the massive challenges that lie before all nurses and midwives as we attempt to rebuild homes, lives and communities after the devastating floods of 2010/11 and Cyclone Yasi.
I know many nurses and midwives have been directly affected by these natural disasters, and many more have worked tirelessly to care for those who have lost so much.
If you have been affected and need support, advice or assistance please don’t hesitate to contact the QNU. There are special leave arrangements and provisions that are accessible to you – which are listed on page 18 of this journal – and it is important that you are able to access these important entitlements.
While this journal focus’ heavily on the impact of the floods, you will also see that we continue our important work to promote and defend the interests and values of members.
The QNU’s democratic structures and business continuity plan have enabled our Union’s work to continue throughout these disasters – even when the QNU’s Brisbane and then Cairns and Townsville offices, were closed.
Thank you to the QNU Activists, including Branch and Workplace Representatives, who have played a key role in supporting members in their workplaces. Thank you also to the QNU staff who have worked tirelessly to represent us during these difficult times.
I believe our democratic structures make us a strong and relevant union – ready to tackle the challenges that come our way.
In fact it is our relevance, our capacity, and our strong direction, that inspired me to nominate as QNU President.
I have a vision that together we can achieve even more.
This year, the reform of our health system could potentially re-shape our working environments and the way in which we deliver healthcare within them. We have some important opportunities to influence these changes to the advantage of all nurses and midwives.
In this new context, nurses and midwives must be promoted and recognised as the highly skilled workforce we are. We should also be further supported to participate in developing innovative solutions to meet current and future workforce needs – we have the knowledge and the experience to inform these discussions. And at every opportunity, we should promote the development of expanded roles for nurses and midwives.
I firmly believe the QNU is the unified voice of nurses and midwives throughout this state. As a collective we can achieve these objectives and so much more.
I am an RN with over 16 years experience working in a large metropolitan public hospital. Prior to that I spent many years employed as an AIN in a number of aged care facilities. I have seen the QNU grow to become the powerful Union we are today and have benefited immensely from the hard work and commitment of those Activists who have gone before us.
As President I am committed to representing all nurses and midwives, across all sectors. While we are diverse, we share the same nursing values and identity. Let’s celebrate what makes us unique and fight for what makes us strong: each other.
I look forward to working with you to further all of our interests and values.
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