26 February 2024

Meet Saskia and her son, Jordy!

While Saskia has just celebrated 40 years since she commenced as a student nurse in the second last training group at the Austin School of Nursing, Jordy is celebrating his very first week as a Graduate Nurse at Austin Health!

In her 40 years at Austin Health, Saskia has had a variety of clinical and leadership roles, and has witnessed extraordinary developments in anaesthesia techniques, drugs, and equipment.

“One of the most momentous moments came very early in my career when I was part of the team that developed the Anaesthesia Nursing protocols and clinical guidelines in preparation for the commencement of Liver Transplantation at Austin, and being involved in numerous liver transplant surgeries,” says Saskia.

In the last five years, Saskia has continued to pursue her passion for evidence-based, person-centred care in her role as a Research Coordinator in the Department of Anaesthesia.

As Saskia commemorates the last four decades of her career, she expresses how happy and proud she is that her son, Jordy, has chosen to be a nurse at Austin Health.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to care and advocate for people when they are at their most vulnerable, and I believe that nurses have a valuable role to play in enhancing the patient experience,” she says.

“The professional opportunities I have been afforded at the Austin, together with the friendship and support of my colleagues, have played a huge role in my continued passion for nursing, and I’m so excited that Jordan is also going to be a part of this special and rewarding profession.”

Saskia says that while she didn’t directly encourage Jordy to join Austin Health, he “knows how proud I am to be an Austin nurse”.

“My advice to Jordy as he starts his career is to enjoy the journey, to embrace the developmental opportunities that working at Austin will provide, and to work respectfully and collaboratively with all staff, clinical or non-clinical, novice or expert, to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

Jordy, inspired by his mother’s legacy, expresses his excitement about starting his career at Austin Health, exploring the diverse nursing pathways and contributing to excellent patient care.

In terms of working at the same place as his mum, Jordy says “It certainly helps to have someone at work to steer you back in the right direction if you feel a little lost, particularly if that person is your mum!”

A huge congratulations to our mother-son duo marking milestones together!