EPC Staff Spotlight – Meet Kerryn!

Kerryn decided to move into nursing after many years in the corporate world, she has been with EPC now for 3 years. Watch the interview (Length - 6:30) or continue reading below to learn more about Kerryn and the life of a palliative care nurse at EPC.
 

What is your role at EPC?

As a nurse my typical day involves being on the road and seeing clients to help them manage their symptoms optimally. These visits may be straight forward, involve some tough conversations, or caring for someone who is actively dying in their home. Each day is different and presents unique opportunities for learning and client engagement.

Why did you pursue this career?  

Nursing is my second career. I previously worked for a pharmaceutical company for 15 years, burnt out and randomly resigned one day. When I left, I started telling people I was going to pursue nursing, more for something to tell people than for any real desire. My mother found a post graduate ‘entry to nursing’ course I could do and off I went, because ‘why not’. As part of my training, I had the opportunity to do a community placement with Melbourne City Mission and found my calling by accident rather than design. 

As part of my nursing graduate year with Peninsula Health, I worked on their palliative ward for 4 months, and my interest was consolidated. At the end of my graduate year, I applied to palliative wards around Melbourne. EPC were crazy/bold enough to hire a new nurse straight out of her graduate year, and I have loved working for them ever since.

How long have you worked for EPC? 

Just over three years, I started the month of the pandemic in 2020.

How has your career progressed since you’ve started? 

Since starting with EPC I have progressed through the standard training of a Grade 3 EPC nurse and have had the opportunity to be acting CNC when my manager is away. My previous workplace experience as a manager has helped me in this advanced role and I have enjoyed the wider organisational understanding it gives me. 

What is something that stands out to you about EPC as an organisation?

The fantastic support I felt as a nurse during the pandemic. It was important that we continued to provide care to our clients but it was also really important that the nurses were protected and supported to do their role effectively. 

What is something about you that others may not know?

I am a huge introvert. I have developed strategies to enable me to work/play with others well, but I need time out to concentrate on self-regeneration/care on my days off. Without this I can turn into a pile of quivering insanity with poor emotional regulation. 

What is the best part of your job and why? 

After my previous job where I worked at least 50 hrs a week and did a lot of travel, the thing I really value about my job is that after a hard day’s work I can walk away and the next day is a brand-new day. If I have done my job well, everything is taken care for my clients that day, either by my actions, or by follow up actions I have scheduled. While I am not terribly good at disconnecting from work, I do like that I don’t have to hold things over till the next day if I have done my job well.

What is the most challenging part of your job? And how do you overcome this? 

I am able to deal with the anxiety and stress I find in client’s homes, but find dealing with colleague’s excitement/anxiety/stress challenging. I find it harder to distance myself from my colleagues’ concerns. I think this probably comes back to my introversion. 

How do I overcome this? Just breathe and listen.

Describe a typical day for you.

As a nurse my typical day involves being on the road and seeing clients. These visits may be straight forward, involve some tough conversations, or caring for someone who is actively dying in their home. Each day is different and presents unique opportunities for learning and client engagement.

Who inspires you? This can be a colleague, author, celebrity, world leader etc

In my role: Atul Gawande and Kathryn Mannix. Both have long experience in palliative care and have produced excellent books and podcasts. 

To learn more about EPC or employment opportunities  Click Here 

Stay tuned for the next Staff Spotlight Interview