Michelle builds relationships at BlueCare Beenleigh

Relationships are everything for BlueCare Registered Nurse Michelle Freeman, who draws on her Maori culture to make connections with clients and colleagues.

“A big part of my work is really the connection that I make with clients, and I think that’s coming from my cultural background, too,” says Michelle, who has worked with BlueCare since 2017.

“I’m from New Zealand, I’m Maori, and a big part of our culture is making connections with people – having an authentic relationship,” she says.

“And for me that’s something that I worked hard to achieve, along with the clinical aspect of being a nurse. Building rapport and trust with clients is really important.”

Based at BlueCare Beenleigh, Michelle has worked as a community care nurse, visiting people in their homes, and now works as an intake nurse, receiving referrals and organising the initial first contact with our home care customers.

“I do have that conversation with them on the phone and find out are they happy for one of our nurses to come and visit, and explaining to them what the actual role of the nurses is.”

Home care nurses provide support ranging from continence assessment and medication management to wound care, palliative care, and more.

“I think that most people, once they get an understanding of what the nurse does, feel like ‘Oh, OK, I do need that type of support’, and then they tend to be happier for someone to come.

“And we do try to pair up a nurse that we think has the right personality for them.”

Michelle says strong relationships are also reflected in the team culture at BlueCare Beenleigh.

“There’s a very strong sort of caring, teamwork culture in our office. I think that’s something that’s developed over time, and I think it represents the work we’re doing out in the community with our clients.”

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