I have been a gastroenterology nurse since 1985. I commenced at what was Woden Hospital then, now The Canberra Hospital and I just happened to be sent to the Endoscopy unit daily due to staff shortages. It was the best move as I have stayed in the Endoscopy field ever since. 

 I was the Nurse Unit manager for the Endoscopy Unit at Gold Coast Hospital (now GCUH) for 21years. I was given the opportunity in 2015 to do a project on creating a Gastrostomy service. 

In March 2016 the Gastrostomy service commenced at GCUH with 1 x FTE CNC and 1 x FTE Dietitian. Our numbers of patients have increased from 140 patients to approx 340 today.

 We do clinics at both GCUH and Robina Hospitals, do community outreach services.

It has been a very rewarding part of my career.