After only five months in the role, Clinical Facilitator Shannon Nixon was pleasantly surprised when she was named the 2023 recipient of the Engagement Award at QEII’s 2023 IND event. 

The award, which recognises nurses who demonstrate outstanding engagement in the workplace, highlighted Shannon’s aptitude for building strong relationships and good rapport with staff. 

Shannon, who joined QEII in July 2022, says the award came as a shock. 

“It’s so nice to be recognised. I’m so honoured. I was so surprised because I’ve barely been here a year.” 

After establishing her career as a Registered Nurse in emergency departments, her craving for more relationship-building opportunities and a change of pace ultimately led Shannon to clinical facilitation. 

“I think facilitating is a lot of networking and building those core relationships. And you give a little, to get a little from them, because it's educating. 

“It’s a whole different kind of aspect, because you have time to help and support the nurses on the floor. Whereas [in emergency], sometimes it can feel like you’re drowning. Everyone is so busy.”

Although 3B is her primary ward, Shannon can often be found working across multiple wards on any given day, which gives her the opportunity to foster relationships with a range of nurses from different units. For Shannon, this is the highlight of being a Clinical Facilitator.

“So today, I’m covering 3 wards. I've met four new nurses today, and just chatting, about where they've come from, how they find nursing.

“QEII is a really great hospital to work in.”

Shannon looks forward to getting to know more of the QEII team. 

Congratulations to Shannon on this fantastic achievement.