Louise Edge

My role as a CNC at Monash Children's at Home has been another huge learning curve in a completely different aspect of patient care and coordination.

Initially, I was a Neonatal HITH Nurse who was out visiting neonates in their home, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home. Providing support, education, and advocacy to achieve the best outcomes for my patients.

My work in DSCN assisted me in this process to become a better Community Nurse.

I later got the position of Clinical Coordinator, and now manage the HITH nurses, patient loads, and coordinate various teams.

Some of this includes:

• Coordinating patient care with multidisciplinary teams to ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home.
• Conducting initial assessments and evaluations of the new referrals, patients' needs, to coordinate appropriate care and interventions.
• Manage scheduling and appointments for patients, optimizing their transition to home, and also assisting and educating the wards for a smooth discharge process.
• Maintained communication between family, caregivers, and other parties regarding patient conditions.
• Educated clients on available resources and services within communities.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop effective patient care strategies.

As part of the role of Coordinator, I am often called on to assist in procedures in our clinic. Which has provided me with clinical contact and experience with various patients and procedures up to 18 years of age.

I served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and later as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager at Dandenong Special Care Nursery.

Working within a small team to tackle challenges in neonatal care was a rewarding and new experience for me.

• Working at a Special Care Unit, I acquired expertise in discharge planning to ensure smooth transitions for neonates and their families.
• Empowered parents during the discharge process, giving them the best chance for success at home.
• Continued to work on the Developmental Care portfolio while at the Special Care Nursery.
• Managed daily operations of the unit, supporting the nurse unit manager and staff.
• Provided support and guidance to students and new staff members when required.

Working at Monash IVF was a completely different experience from being on a ward. It was a huge learning curve with reproductive health, and the procedures and protocols involved. Some of the aspects it entailed—

• Educating patients on their medical conditions, treatment plans, and self-care management techniques (such as administering their injections and medications).
• Assisted reproductive specialists with examinations, tests, and procedures.
• A large portion of the role was also to provide emotional and practical support to patients during challenging cycles.

Monash Newborn, from 1999 to 2004.

I completed my Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing – Neonatal Intensive Care in 2000 and 2001, whilst also working in the NICU.

• Served as a mentor for newly hired nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

I then went on to become a CNS 12 months after completing my diploma, and I mentored many students.

• Administered medications and treatments to critically ill newborns in specialized care.
• Assisted with delivery room resuscitations when needed.
• Developed strategies to promote healthy development in premature babies, as I was part of the Developmental Care Team.
• Educated families on infant health and assisted them through routine cares during their hospital stay.
• Educating families and NICU students was one of the highlights of working in the NICU.

I then got a position as an ANUM in the NICU and worked as an ANUM for a few years until I left in 2004.

Being an ANUM encompasses many different aspects, such as coordinating and allocating patient care. Managing the daily operations of the unit. Coordinating patient care with a multidisciplinary team.