Rosemary O’Brien began nursing in February 1974, and this year will celebrate a career of 50 years (so far).
Rosemary began her training in Sydney before moving first to Cowra and then Young, gaining a diversity of experience as a registered nurse at these regional hospitals.
Between 1983-2001 Rosemary was Theatre Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) as well as in charge of the Emergency Department (ED) at Narrabri Hospital, before returning to Cowra to become the Director of Nursing (DON) and NUM of the ED.
In 2015 Rosemary arrived in the Northern Rivers working at the Mullumbimby District Hospital as the relief NUM and acting DON. When Byron Bay and Mullumbimby District Hospitals became Byron Central Hospital, Rosemary worked in the position of Relief Deputy DON and Acting NUM in the In-Patient Unit (IPU).
Rosemary’s strengths and clinical expertise are valued by staff and patients and Rosemary is passionate about supporting young students in the unit, said Tracey Sheehan, Executive Officer/Director of Nursing at Byron Central Hospital.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my nursing career so far, especially working in my community and with the wonderful team in Byron Central Hospital IPU,” Rosemary said.
It’s thanks to this wonderful team that we learned about Rosemary’s achievements said Tracey as she also acknowledged medical inpatient unit NUM Fiona Francis and RN Simone Jenkinson. “It was Simone who bought Rosemary’s years of service to NSW Health to our attention”.
Rosemary continues to work in the Byron Central Hospital IPU and has no plans for retirement any time soon.