As ANZAC Day approaches, Logan Hospital’s Tim Daelman shares a glimpse into his remarkable nursing career that began in the Australian Defence Force nearly three decades ago.
The veteran nurse’s journey from military service to Metro South Health shows a dedication to serving others and highlights an investment to the community shared by many staff across Metro South.
Tim, who recently commemorated 20 years’ service with Queensland Health, began his Defence Force career in 1996 and happened upon nursing through a twist of fate.
“On finishing high school, my parents wanted me to become a medical professional, however I was good at chemistry and wanted to become an industrial chemist,” he said.
“I didn’t want to go to university for six years, so I joined the Australian Army, and I was able to work with explosives daily!
“I was then supposed to attend a military driving course in Victoria, however upon arrival, I was re-assigned to the Infantry Combat Medic course and then the Medical Assistant course.”
In the few years that followed, Tim said there had been multiple times where he was required to put his skills into action, with one standout memory saving a leg of a soldier who impaled himself on a metal post whist on a training exercise.
“After this event, I was hooked on healthcare as a career and Defence sponsored me throughout my nursing degree.”
Tim’s transition to the Royal Australian Air Force in 2003 started a career that would shape his character and open a world of unforgettable experiences, including allowing him to travel the world while utilising his nursing skills.
“I have looked after patients in war zones, I have undertaken aeromedical transportation of critically ill patients throughout Australia with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and whilst in the Royal Australian Air Force, I have transported aeromedical patients on helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and commercial airlines - even flying First Class on Emirates.”
Tim said nursing in the Defence Force had sharpened his skills in critical care and equipped him with the ability to thrive in almost any environment.
He said when he made the decision to hand in his uniform and depart from a permanent Defence Force role, he wasted no time in enlisting in the ranks of Queensland Health, after working alongside many Defence reservists (clinicians) from the organisation during his military service.
During his tenure at Logan Hospital, Tim has worked across a variety of roles from Clinical Nurse in the Emergency Department to Nurse Unit Manager, to Recruitment Manager and most recently Nurse Navigator.
As Recruitment Manager Tim’s was recognised as playing a key role in maximising pipelines into the organisation and ensuring nursing and midwifery positions were filled with the best candidates.
Tim said investing in junior staff and encouraging them to grow professionally was something he was proud of during his time at Logan Hospital.
Beyond his day-to-day role, Tim said he continued to serve as an Air Force Reservist with his commitments extending to ceremonial duties at Queensland Government House.
Within that role he supports the Governor of Queensland as an ADC (Aide-de-camp), attending numerous events and upholding traditions with honour.
Tim said ANZAC Day held a special place in his heart and that he usually spent the day reflecting on his time in the Defence Force, thinking of those he served with and those friends who tragically passed whilst serving our country.
“In my current role supporting the Governor of Queensland, I will be supporting official ceremonies, one of these is the ANZAC Nurses Memorial Candlelight Vigil held in Brisbane on 24 April at ANZAC Square,” he said.