BENDIGO nurses and midwives took the spotlight on Tuesday, as part of International Nurses Day.
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Pauline Mierzejewski was not among them this year. But she spent more than 30 years caring for others as a Bendigo nurse.
Ms Mierzejewski has worked for 43 years at Bendigo's Bethlehem Home for the Aged, starting as a nurse in 1977. She has spent her past 10 years at the home as an administrator.
Ms Mierzejewski said caring for others and the sense of family kept her nursing in aged care.
"The residents have a family, and we become a family to their family," she said.
"We are like a big family here. And the staff that I work with, I've worked for many years.
"It's my work family, I see these people more than I see my own family."
Nursing education in 1972 was quite different to today, Ms Mierzejewski said. She did six weeks training, then went on the ward at Kyneton.
"It was very strict, matron would come in each day, making the beds," Ms Mierzejewski said.
"The beds had to be made properly, they had to have the pillow case corners. The bedspreads had to be even both sides.
"If she wasn't happy with how the bed was made, she pulled it apart and you did it again."
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Now recently trained nurses are coming out with more knowledge from TAFE or university courses, Ms Mierzejewski said.
But she believes sometimes they don't learn the personal skills of relating to someone who is sick.
Bendigo Health also paid tribute to its nurses and midwives, who make up more than half of its staff.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery officer David Rosaia thanked nurses and midwifes for their dedication.
"Nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health services, providing skilled and compassionate care and leadership around the clock," Mr Rosaia said.
"These are the people who devote their lives to caring for mothers and children, the elderly and the needy."
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