As we settle into our Christmas lunch on December 25, spare a thought for all those who are still working to look after, protect us and ensure our safety this holiday period.
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Brendan Cummins is a registered nurse at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and said working over the holidays is just something he had to get used to.
“For us Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are always really busy as people have too much fun or too much to drink and accidents happen,” Brendan said.
“Unfortunately holidays aren’t always great times for people and emergency departments also see a rise in domestic violence cases over the festive season.”
A nurse for over 30 years, 11 of which have been in Port Macquarie, Brendan has seen his fare share of medical problems and said he enjoys visiting people in their homes.
“In my current role I visit people in their home to provide care and I find that rewarding because people are more relaxed when they are in their own home,” he said.
“They are also generally happy to see you when you come and visit them. Over the holidays all of that work will continue.”
He said being able to work in different parts of the hospital adds a layer of flexibility to his job that keeps him coming back each day.
“While my primary job is working with people in their home I also do shifts in the emergency department so you do see lots of different people come in with problems,” he said.
“As a nurse I love the flexibility that my jobs allows for.
“I have teenage children and a wife who works as a teacher so being able to work my shifts around my family life is great.
“Originally I wanted to work as a paramedic but when I applied they said I was too young and steered me towards being a nurse and I have enjoyed it ever since.”
