Every day, nurses are there for our community in the moments that matter most. From accidents and emergencies to routine procedures, welcoming new babies and supporting families through some of life’s hardest times, nurses help people navigate experiences they will never forget.
They work in busy environments and under constant pressure, balancing clinical responsibility with problem-solving, practical care and emotional support.
International Nurses Day is an annual event, observed on 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. It’s a chance to recognise the important role nurses play in our community. This year, we highlight two local nurses, sharing their stories about what inspired them.
Rosalee Trent, Nurse Unit Manager at Caboolture Hospital, has spent 20 years with Queensland Health.
“I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to study nursing through the Australian College of Nursing (formerly Royal College of Nursing Australia),” Rosalee said. “I’ve been truly blessed to have broad experiences in nursing, working rurally, working in tertiary and secondary hospitals, and working in community settings.”
Her career has spanned many different areas, but she said her current role holds special meaning.
“My current role is one I’ve always held dear – working with patients in GEM or Palliative Care, often older patients, to support an approach to care that is individualised and focused on quality of life,” she said.
For Rosalee, nursing is also about connection and growth.
“Nursing gives you the opportunity to inspire others but also be inspired,” she said.
Stories from the Frontline of Care
Caroline Mitchell, Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Department at Redcliffe Hospital, has been a nurse for more than 20 years.
“My first job at 14 was working in an aged care home as a Nursing Assistant,” Caroline said. “I quickly realised how deeply I cared for the people I cared for, and how even small acts could make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Caroline said she acknowledged both the challenges and the privileges of nursing.
“Nursing is undeniably challenging,” she said. “It can be demanding, confronting, and at times physically and emotionally exhausting. But if you’ve ever experienced a genuine human connection with someone and felt how powerful that moment can be, then you’ll understand why so many nurses love what we do.
“We are leaders, educators, innovators, and drivers of change across the healthcare system. But beyond that, it’s often the small, quiet moments that define what we do.”
On International Nurses Day, we say thank you to nurses like Rosalee and Caroline, and to the many others who show up every day with skill, care and compassion in our community.
Read more stories from The North Lakes Guide print magazine here:
- In the North Lakes Loop: Updates from the Community
- Eco Eve: Living a More Environmentally Friendly Life!
- Podcast Review: Uncanny
- Movie Review: German Film Festival
- Fish of the Month
- Organic Gardening in May
- Kumbartcho Sanctuary Offers Nature, Education and Family Fun
- Zucchini and Corn Fritters
- Calling All Dancing Queens For ABBA Tribute
- Billy Liar Spins Tall Tales in Stage Comedy
- Putting Queensland Together
- John Oxley Reserve: A Secret Spot for Nature and Play
- Celebrate Mother’s Day with Mum & Me Paint Workshop
- Northside Soul Sisters Serve Up Fair Dinkum Tunes
- The Lakes College Opens New Performing Arts Precinct and Gym
- Smells Like the 90s Rocks Thirsty Chiefs
- The Jungle After Dark: Kid-Free but Kid-Like Fun
- Encouraging Safer School Journeys
- The Buzz in Our Backyard: Celebrating World Bee Day
