International Nurses Day, observed annually on 12 May, celebrates the extraordinary dedication and care nurses provide worldwide while commemorating Florence Nightingale, the trailblazer of modern nursing.
At Catholic Healthcare, we proudly celebrate our nurses and their daily impact. Join us in thanking these dedicated professionals, who share their stories below.
Kristel Ruiz, Care Manager, Our Lady of Loreto Gardens (Central Coast), since 2023
As a care manager, I balance being a role model with providing clinical guidance and ensuring person-centred care. I work closely with registered nurses, mentoring, coordinating care plans, working with families, and ensuring clinical compliance—a harmonious blend of heart, hands, and mind. Every day is different but always filled with purpose! There's always a blend of analysing, problem-solving, planning, and my favourite part—connecting with our residents and employees!
I became a nurse because I’ve always been drawn to helping others, and nursing allows me to combine my values, clinical knowledge, and genuine care to improve lives every day. One of my favourite memories is helping a palliative patient reconnect with his love of music. We set up a small stage for him, gave him a portable microphone, and connected it to my karaoke machine. The joy on his face as he sang was pure magic, and we even had a duet! This reminded me that care isn't just about clinical needs; it's also about nurturing the soul. I’m driven by the opportunity to lead with love and purpose, supporting the team, inspiring them, and developing them into future leaders while making a difference in the lives of our residents.
Lara McIntyre – Senior Palliative Care Lead & Nurse Practitioner (NP) since September 2024
My main role is developing and implementing Catholic Healthcare's palliative and end-of-life care strategy. This involves creating evidence-based practices to meet the diverse needs of older people and their families, providing expert guidance, education, and leadership, and collaborating with external organisations to promote end-of-life care in all settings.
I am a clinician—it is integral to who I am and the lens through which I see the world. I am privileged to view life from the ground level, so to speak, and from the corporate level, allowing me to intersect both spaces. This is my 35th year as a registered nurse. I am a third-generation nurse: my grandmother and mother were nurses before me. It’s in my blood and DNA, but my early life experiences also inspired me on this path. As a teenager, I watched my beloved grandmother die of cancer—we cared for her at home for a time until she decided to return to her home to die. Her journey profoundly impacted me, and her struggles with pain and disease, which had no treatment in the early '80s, have driven me throughout my career—to advocate, to care, to show compassion, and to ensure that the last days of a person’s life have dignity, regardless of their age or where they live.
Saraswati Khadka Chhetri – Care Manager – The Haven, Wagga Wagga, since 2023
I have worked at Catholic Healthcare at The Haven for the past six years, the last two as a Care Manager. My primary responsibilities include overseeing clinical governance, leading the team, ensuring safety, and maintaining compliance. My workdays are always busy, filled with home rounds, engaging with residents and employees, checking clinical supplies, reviewing incidents, and coordinating with my team.
I enjoy communicating and connecting with my residents, particularly listening to their unique life stories and experiences. This job is incredibly fulfilling, as I have always aspired to be a nurse. I joined Catholic Healthcare in 2018 as a registered nurse and eventually moved into my current role as Care Manager. At work, we foster a close-knit, family-like environment, dedicated to providing safe and quality care to our residents. Among our corporate values, I especially identify with compassion, as I prioritise being an empathetic and caring nurse.
Thank you, Kristel, Lara, and Saraswati, for giving us a day-in-the-life view of your meaningful role as nurses.
If you are passionate about a career in care, we’d love to hear from you! Find out about our current opportunities available here.