Mental HealthWhat type of job are you looking for? Mental Health. Working with refugees in Detention Centers What nationality are you? I am a New Zealander What languages do you speak (and at what level)? English What country or area are you looking to work in and why? Australia What countries have you worked in? New Zealand and Australia What field do you currently work in? Mental Health What fields have you worked in before? Prison Nursing...New Zealand from 1994-2001 Practice Nurse for 2 yrs 2001 - 2003 Mental Health 2003 till current........2009 returned to prison for 1YR with dual role..Prison Nurse and Liaison Forensic Nurse What qualifications do you hold? New Zealand Registered Nurse...Christchurch Polytech Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Formal education did not prepare me for my chosen career 30 plus years ago........I believe life skills,effective communication skills,use of good assessment skills,initiative and intuition are a must in nursing.I believe nurses are born not created.I have used the above skills to a very high standard often in very difficult situations within my work place.Of course it goes without saying that I from a very sound knowledge base Describe the benefits of working alone Allows autonomy.Efficient time manaagement.Offers continuity of care.building therapeutic relationships with positive outcomes.Able to work well within a multi disciplinary team. What was your worst working experience? Finding a patient dead after they had completed suicide.Patient was not deemed AT RISK at the time. What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? Every person is unique...even the most difficult,troubled person has a silver lining... What unique skills do you have? Wonderful sense of fun.Accepting of people from all walks of life.Non judgemental.Intuition and initiative rate very high on my skill base. within my scope of practice.Supportive of peers.Great team player. What are the most interesting aspects of your field? Mental Illness encompasses such a broad area. Whether organic, drug or alcohol induced mental illnesses sometimes catastrophic effects on patients and family members. Education,Diagnosis,Treatment and maintaining wellness is one of the most intersting aspects of Mental Health What are the least interesting aspects of your field? To be perfectly honest I think their is too much time spent on computer work.Which I believe detracts from patient care. My primary focus throughout my career has been people,not paper or computer,however given,I do adhere to those rquirements. How can potential employers contact you? wendy.mcilwrick@hotmail.com | 
