“One minute it’s a broken bone. The next, it’s a piglet bite.”
Before joining Kinkaya, Vicki spent years working as an emergency clinical nurse in rural and remote Australia, including the Pilbara, where no two shifts were ever the same.
It turns out not much has changed.
“Winter has brought lots of coughs, colds and viral illnesses, plenty of sports injuries and broken bones,” she says. “And this week we even had someone bitten by a piglet.”
It’s a snapshot of the variety that comes with paediatric nursing and one of the reasons Vicki enjoys it so much.
“I like how it combines clinical skills with communication, creativity and family-centred care to help take the fear out of what can be a scary situation.”
On any given day, you’ll find Vicki assisting with everything from wound dressings and observations to respiratory swabs, while helping children and families feel comfortable throughout their visit.
She says one of the first things that struck her about Kinkaya was how much thought had gone into creating an environment that feels different from a traditional healthcare setting.
“The playroom, the bright colours, the coffee machine: there’s so much effort put into making it feel warm and comforting for families” she said.
But for Vicki, it’s not just the environment that makes Kinkaya special.
“The team genuinely wants to be here and everyone is focused on providing the best service they can.”
What many parents don’t see is the work happening behind the scenes.
“I don’t think people realise the amount of time, thought and ongoing development that goes into Kinkaya. Everything is designed to make healthcare less intimidating for children and their families.”
From emergency nursing in the Pilbara to treating piglet bites in Perth, Vicki’s career has taught her to expect the unexpected. Fortunately for Kinkaya families, she’s ready for whatever walks through the door.
We are fortunate to have Vicki on the team.