A hospital patient was dying. It was touch and go. And, despite being told that he’d have days to live, it turned out to be only hours.
Paul Frater, as the instinctual and passionate registered nurse that he is, could see this.
“I utilised my skills and could tell something was not right and acted on that conviction,” Paul said.
He contacted the patient’s family and asked them to come and see the dying man, before it was too late.They did, and are forever grateful.
Paul started his career in nursing at Port Macquarie Base Hospital in 2002 as an enrolled nurse, where he trained up and became a registered nurse in 2006.
But 10 months ago, he decided to follow his instincts even more so, and step outside the traditional square where male nurses are mostly found.
Not only did his next move find him moving into a nursing genre he “absolutely loves” but it catapulted him into a world where he was a rarity indeed.
Paul is one of only two male registered nurses who work in a medical practice in Port Macquarie.
He is the only full-time registered nurse at the respected Waniora Parkway Medical Centre in the Hastings area.
The other male nurse works at a practice in Lighthouse Beach.
Whether it’s performing ECGs for blood pressure checks, taking pathology blood samples, running an allergy clinic or immunising children, among a plethora of responsibilities, you will find Paul at the helm.
So why is it that Paul is so unique in his chosen career choice and what keeps him caring for our families day in, day out?
As the father of Chelsea, 4, and Harrison, 8, and husband to gorgeous wife Tammy, Paul said it’s all about “caring in a family environment”.
“I get such reward from helping people,” he said.
“I am unsure why male nurses are not in many practices in Port Macquarie but, if they were willing to give it a go, they would be pleasantly surprised.
“It is different from hospital based nursing but so rewarding, so refreshing and such a warm environment to be in.
“If someone comes in and I get the chance to work out a way to make a difference in their lives, then that experience alone makes it so worthwhile.”
Paul’s passion for helping in the healing, preventative and proactive process does not stop here.
He recently finished an Immunisation Certificate and has applied for and received a scholarship from the Royal College of Nursing to study wound management.
He is also looking to upgrade his skills further in the coming years.
Learn more about a career in nursing at www.ncah.com.au
Story: Kate Yates
