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Summer 2004

Introducing Sharon Doherty

Sharon Doherty has been employed as the new HACSU Nurse Organiser in the Southern Region. Sharon comes to HACSU with excellent nursing credentials and a lot of experience organizing at the workplace level.

My twenty two year career in nursing began at St John's Park Hospital, training as an Auxiliary (Enrolled) Nurse. The work was both physically and emotionally demanding. However, the sense of achievement experienced after completion of a difficult shift was additionally enhanced by the camaraderie and support of every member of the health care team.

I completed my General (Registered) Nurse training at the Royal Hobart Hospital in the early nineties and spent many years since then working in acute care settings within the public and private sectors.

During that time, I became increasingly aware of the many issues and constraints facing health professionals within the hospital setting. I recognised that patients often felt disempowered and hesitant about actively participating in their care in an unfamiliar and often hectic environment
and that nurses needed more time to educate, support, encourage and facilitate client driven care.

Subsequently working as Executive/Promotions Officer with the Women's Health Program increased my awareness of the value of co-ordinated Health Promotion programs. It was refreshing to be part of a team focused on proactive rather than reactive strategies. Following my time with Women's Health, I entered Community Nursing which provided another opportunity to work within Primary Health Care.

I have had along association with HACSU, having joined during my days at St Johns Park. The decision to become a HACSU member and not join a nurse specific union was influenced greatly by the concept of "strength in numbers". I saw my participation in worksite committees at St Johns Park and Dwyer Rehabilitation Unit as helping to ensure that previous hard fought battles for improved wages and conditions were maintained, to ensure that natural justice is delivered to the workers at the coal-face and to participate as part of a collective to effect change in conditions and wages.

I look forward to working with you!

Sharon Doherty