We will all be cared for by a nurse at least once in our lives. It’s just the context of that care will be different for everyone. Not to mention, many of our loved ones are, or will become, nurses. For Donna Ballantyne, being raised by a nurse made the profession a major pillar in her life.

Donna followed in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a nurse herself. She has kindly shared her experiences as a nurse ahead of International Nurses Day this Sunday.

For the last 13 years, Donna has worked as a registered nurse at Northgate Aged Care. This service exists within the Department of Human Services (DHS), in the Disability Services division.

Working with DHS Disability Services

DHS Disability Services provides services for South Australians with disability. Offering Supported Independent living, allied health services, equipment and assistive technology, and can assist with the management of NDIS supports. All provided under the philosophy of ‘Everything about you, with you’. Ensuring every client receives the support they need to live their most independent life at home, and in the community.

Donna has incredible compassion for the clients she and her team support at Northgate. She’s extremely dedicated to providing quality care and support. “Nursing has always been something I had been passionate about. As a young adult I actually had a family member residing at Highgate Park after a brain injury. So, exposure to nursing and the disability services has been ingrained in my whole life,” Donna says.

“What I really enjoy about my work at Northgate is being able to advocate for our clients and making sure they get everything that they are entitled to, to have a good life" she added.

(Donna’s father, nephew, brother-in-law and Donna at Highgate Park 1997)

International Nurses Day

This year’s International Nurses Day theme is ‘Our Nurses, Our Future: The economic power of care’. It aims to bring attention to the societal value of investing in nursing. When asked why she feels nurses are so valuable to society, Donna said:

“I don’t think our health system would work without nurses. We are the primary point between the doctors and our clients.”

Donna also explained the importance of making sure the clients and their families and guardians understand why medical decisions have been made. That interpretation often occurs via nurses.

“To be able to spend that extra time with people so that they really understand what’s going on, that’s really crucial,” she says.

More than just clinical support

Nurses provide so much more than clinical support. An important part of a nurse's role is to bridge the technical aspects and help a client or patient understand what is happening, to feel safe. There is an added layer of complexity when you're working with people living with disability, Donna explained.

“For example, taking a person’s blood pressure is a standard nursing skill but you have to consider variables outside of the clinical need. We have to ensure each client is comfortable and calm. That sometimes requires significant emotional support, interpersonal skills, and trust.”

For us non-nurses, we hear snippets and stories from our nursing colleagues, friends and family. However, we can't always provide the advice or support that they need because we don’t know the realities of their work. When asked how she takes care of her own wellbeing, she laughed, saying:

“That’s an interesting question! We're a tight team here, so we’re quite comfortable with each other. Sometimes you can’t tell the people in your personal life the things that you experience at work. It’s nice to know that, even if you’re off roster, you can pick up the phone and debrief about a situation with a colleague.”

Thank you, Donna, for sharing your experiences. To all the nurses in South Australia, we hope you feel seen and heard today, and every day! Without you our healthcare system would not function. From the lifesaving tasks you perform, to the genuine comfort you provide, you do so much for our community. Happy International Nurses Day!

Find out more about DHS Disability Services: DHS Disability Services

International Nurses Day video

Watch this short International Nurses Day video (1.46 minutes), featuring Donna: