Our neonatal nurses take home Dux prizes at Curtain School of Nursing celebration

Two dedicated neonatal nurses from Perth Children’s Hospital have been recognised for their academic and professional excellence at the 2024 Curtin School of Nursing Celebration of Excellence.

Registered Nurse Jacinta Cross and Clinical Nurse Sarah Robinson, who both work in Ward 3B – the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – were awarded Dux prizes in their respective study areas during a ceremony at Optus Stadium.

Jacinta was named Dux of the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing, while Sarah received the Dux prize for the Master of Advanced Practice.

The Dux awards are presented to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and a strong commitment to advancing their field.

Jacinta, who has worked in NICU for 18 years, said she was drawn to nursing from a young age, driven by a desire to help people during difficult times.

“Paediatric and neonatal nursing appealed to me as I am the second eldest of six children and have always participated in the day-to-day care of babies and children, learning the basics very young, and have always taken an interest in all aspects of infant and child development,” she said.

“After doing a six-month placement in NICU as part of my graduate program, I decided it was definitely the place for me, and I have been there for 18 years now. Being able to help new parents navigate the scary world of NICU that they have been thrust into is what drives me to excel in my practice.”

Jacinta said returning to study once her own children reached high school was a decision she made to further her skills in neonatal care – a decision she’s proud of.

“I loved every second of the learning experience and couldn’t believe how my knowledge base increased so rapidly throughout the course,” she said.

“Being recognised with achieving the Dux prize for the course gave me a sense of peace that I have chosen the right career and gave me the confidence to be able to achieve whatever I set my mind to.”

Her advice for aspiring paediatric nurses is to never lose sight of the privilege that comes with the role.

“My advice would be to recognise that you have been given the privilege to be allowed into a family’s life at their most vulnerable time,” she said.

“It is an honour to be a part of their journey, and respect that your patient is only one piece of a family unit… ensure you are caring for the family unit, not just the patient.”

For Sarah Robinson, the journey to neonatal nursing began with a deeply personal and emotional experience.

“One of my best friends invited me to be her support person at the birth of her third child and my godson,” she said.

“After a beautiful birth, he suddenly experienced distress, turned a worrying shade of blue, and was swiftly taken to the NICU by the neonatal team. Sitting on that blue couch outside the unit, unable to see him… feeling utterly overwhelmed and grappling with guilt… I decided I never wanted to feel like this in an emergency again.”

Sarah made the decision to move away from midwifery, spending several years in adult intensive care before making the transition to neonates.

Since then, she has continued to pursue further learning, completing postgraduate qualifications in both adult and neonatal intensive care, and culminating in her Master of Advanced Practice.

“Receiving the Dux prize was a wonderful surprise and a meaningful validation of the hard work it took to balance study with the demands of a young family,” she said.

She encourages future paediatric nurses to embrace all opportunities that come their way.

“Whether you secure a paediatric role straight after graduation or gain experience elsewhere first, every step adds depth to the knowledge and expertise you bring to your future team,” she said.

Congratulations to Jacinta and Sarah on their outstanding achievements and for the vital difference they continue to make in the lives of WA families and their newborns.

Photos courtesy of Curtain University.