For clinical nurse, Kathy Johns, St Stephen’s Hospital has been a home away from home for more than 30 years.
It all began in 1991 when Kathy moved to the Fraser Coast and approached a small private hospital in Maryborough for work.
Having been part of the St Stephen’s team for more than three decades, Kathy has experienced significant change, from the hospital’s early days in Maryborough to today.
“I’ve been a nurse for probably longer than a lot of people would think wise. In early 2025, I will have been a registered nurse for 50 years,” Kathy said.
“I like challenges and the growth that we’ve seen from St Stephen’s, from a little cottage hospital to now being a major player, it’s kept me interested and I’m still finding challenges,” she said.
Kathy was part of the team when the first stage of the new St Stephen’s Hospital, a stand-alone day surgery, opened in Hervey Bay in 2006, and when the hospital officially relocated in 2014.
“Things changed when Queensland Health moved their major hospital from Maryborough to Hervey Bay,” Kathy explained.
“It meant the Intensive Care Unit we needed to do high acuity surgery also moved to Hervey Bay, and as a result our acuity level at St Stephen’s decreased. There were a whole range of major procedures we could no longer do.
“And in order to sustain the hospital and our services, we had to make a move,” she said.
Over the past decade, St Stephen’s Hospital has continued to expand, bringing new and much-needed healthcare services and specialists to the region.
“The growth has meant a lot of advantages for the local community, and St Stephen’s is perceived by the community as being great because there is less need for locals to travel to Brisbane. We have a lot of services available right here,” Kathy said.
As a nurse educator, Kathy has been a mentor for many at St Stephen’s – too many to count. It’s a part of her career she cherishes the most.
“Something I really enjoy is seeing those I’ve mentored into nursing after their degrees grow, and I love to see them now taking on more senior roles. It’s a pleasure to be able to see their growth,” she said.
Reflecting on the years which have passed, her hope for the years to come is simple.
“I think from our small hospital days to now, something that has carried over is that this is a place where people can feel at home and feel accepted. It’s like an extended family,” Kathy said.
“Going forward from here, my hope is that the hospital continues to expand but not lose sight of that personal touch we’ve always had, and the interconnectedness we have with each other and with our community.
“And for me personally, I’ve seen a lot of challenges, there’s always challenges! But that means there is always something to do, something new to learn.
“I’ve got enough to keep me busy here for another 50 years!”