More than 3,000 critically ill patients pass through the doors of Royal Melbourne Hospital’s (RMH) ICU each year, making it a hub of relentless activity and vital care. Here, nurses work in a highly coordinated environment, with each patient assigned a dedicated nurse providing one-on-one attention.
According to The Herald Sun, for 30-year-old ICU nurse Flora Markogiannakis, the fast-paced, high-stakes environment became her calling during the Covid pandemic.
Reflecting on her entry into the field, Markogiannakis said: “I wouldn’t say Covid inspired or deterred me. I was really thrown into it and for me that worked really well, it gave me purpose.”
Markogiannakis has developed a special interest in trauma cases and finds fulfilment in the ICU’s supportive setting. With access to advanced resources and training, she feels equipped to make a real difference.
“You feel like you’ve achieved something by the end of a shift,” she shared.
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Business Administration, Markogiannakis envisions a potential future in health administration. However, for now, she is focused on the hands-on impact she can make as a nurse.
Despite her passion, the role comes with significant challenges. The mental and physical demands require resilience and self-awareness. “You really have to check in with yourself before every shift and when you go home, to know that you can come back the next day,” she explained.
The emotional toll of supporting patients and their families during some of their darkest moments is not lost on her. “We go through so much in our own personal lives and then caring for the patients and their families who are experiencing some of the worst days of their lives,” Markogiannakis added.
Source: Herald Sun.
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