International Nurses Day, a Time to Celebrate at Mercy Place Mandurah

International Nurses Day was hailed as a time to celebrate kindness and care at Mercy Place Mont Clare, as both staff and residents took the time to thank the nine nurses who care for seniors at the home.

The team of Registered and Enrolled Nurses range in age from their late-20s to mid-50s, meaning they have countless decades of nursing experience between them which ensures residents at the not-for-profit home are in particularly safe hands.

Among those who were part of the day’s celebrations were Filipino-born Registered Nurse Elizabeth Ong, who is in her third year of working at Mercy Place Mont Clare, having qualified as a nurse back in September 2015 in her home country, before moving to Australia and pursuing her dream to care for elderly people and specialise in aged care.

She was joined by her nursing colleague 32-year-old Sonia Sam, a Registered Nurse who also holds a Batchelor in Nursing and a Masters in Business Administration which she gained at Edith Cowan University, and who admits that her passion has always been helping others. 

And in a turn of events, on the day itself – which is celebrated around the world on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth - Mercy Place Mont Clare residents repaid the care they receive year-round by recognising the team of nurses on the day.

Mercy Place Mont Clare General Manager, Amanda Page, said International Nurses’ Day provided an important opportunity to celebrate nursing as a profession, and that residents had been particularly keen to acknowledge the professionalism and care received from nursing staff.

“At Mercy Place Mont Clare our residents’ health and wellbeing is our biggest priority, and this year our seniors wanted to focus their attention on our amazing nurses, while recognising their kindness and also acknowledging the work they do,” said Ms Page.

“Mercy Health is very fortunate to have a wonderful team of dedicated and professional nurses at Mont Clare, and Florence Nightingale’s birthday was the perfect time to acknowledge and thank them for their dedication and levels of care, which are second to none.”