‘Bedside manner’ is a central part of healthcare and underpins contemporary medical ethics. It centres on personal, comforting relationships nurses need to have with their patients often during challenging circumstances.

Most students who decide to study nursing do so because they want to help others. Stephanie Christie is no different and, in fact, goes one step further in her career as a paediatric nurse at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital.

Stephanie was awarded a Bachelor of Nursing with High Distinction from The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle Campus in 2017, and delivered the Farewell Address at the School of Nursing & Midwifery Graduation Ceremony.

She also received The University Medal at Notre Dame’s 2018 Awards Ceremony in recognition of being the highest achieving undergraduate student who completed their studies on the Fremantle Campus in the previous year.

“I am inspired by the resilience of children in the face of illness and am particularly interested in working to minimise the traumatic stress that children and parents experience during hospital visits,” Stephanie said.

“I want to be a compassionate, empathetic and knowledgeable paediatric nurse – treating the child not just their illness – so that parents have confidence in my ability to care for their family members.”

Throughout her studies, Stephanie was continuously commended by peers and staff in a variety of settings for her professionalism and friendly nature, always ensuring that her patients were respected and valued.

“Nursing is a very hands-on profession and you can’t learn to become a well-rounded nurse in the classroom alone. Notre Dame’s extensive practicum placements, which exceeds that of other universities, means that I can provide high quality evidence and outcomes-based care to my patients,” Stephanie said.