A NURSE who spent more than two decades of her career working in Cape York has called time on her exemplary career.
Leslie-Ann Jacobus has spent the past five years working in the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service nurse navigator service.
Before that she spent several years working, predominantly, in Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal.
Leslie-Ann has long been passionate about rural and remote nursing after initially training in Melbourne in 1980.
She spent time in the Northern Territory and the Gulf of Carpentaria. This included four years as director of nursing on Mornington Island.
She said she drew upon her years working remotely when she joined the nurse navigator team in 2018. The team support patients with complex cases through their health care journey.
“To be able to tie all that knowledge and skills together to support and advocate for patients has been really fulfilling,” she said.
“This has been the best way to end my career.”
Leslie-Ann said nursing had changed significantly in the 40-plus years since she began her career. But she would recommend rural and remote work to any nurses who were up for the challenge.
“That’s what I love about it, that remoteness,” she said.
“You learn very quickly how competent you are and what you need to learn.
“Rural and remote work tops everything – the experiences you get to have, all the different people you get to meet and the amazing friendships with colleagues.”
TCHHS executive director of nursing and midwifery Kim Veiwasenavanua said the health service was reliant on staff like Leslie-Ann who were dedicated to supporting remote communities.
“We are focused on improving health equity regardless of where in Queensland you live and it is people like Leslie-Ann who can help us make that a reality,” she said.
“I’d like to thank her for everything she has done for our patients and communities and wish her well in retirement.”
Leslie-Ann said she had travel in mind for her retirement – both overseas and on the road in her renovated bus.
