Long-term Exmouth nurse up for excellence award

The work put in by one of the nurses at Exmouth Hospital has not gone unnoticed, with a long-serving staff member named as a finalist in the 2019 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

Patricia Tolland has been a nurse for more than 30 years and is one of three finalists in the excellence in enrolled nursing category.

She trained in Narrogin after high school, worked around WA in Kondinin, Dalwallinu, Derby and Perth and did a short stint in New Zealand before ending up in Exmouth 25 years ago.

Ms Tolland said it was her manager who had nominated her for the award, but she hadn’t known about it until she was contacted for more information.

“It was quite a surprise, but really nice to be recognised,” she said.

“You often don’t realise how much both customers and staff appreciate the work you put in.

“I’ve been there for a long time, so that recognition means a lot.”

Having mainly worked in country towns, Ms Tolland said she had had to become a jack of all trades and a master of none but the job was about helping people.

“We do a mix of things that come through the door and deal with a variety of people and complaints,” she said.

“They come in to an environment they’re not familiar with when they’re unwell, so it’s a matter of trying to make them more comfortable.”

Award winners will be announced at a gala ball in Perth on Saturday, May 11.