Nat’s story: quality health care for all
Senior Primary Health Outreach Nurse Nat Joyce isn’t your typical nurse. He is dedicated to supporting young people with their health, whether that’s physical, mental or sexual. To do that he doesn’t just use health care skills – he’s using case management and counselling skills as well. He says there “is never a dull day” in his job.
One day, he’s at a young person’s home, supporting them to withdraw from a drug safely. The next day, he’s helping a young person get an STI test at Sexual Health Victoria, and providing them with education around sexual health. As an outreach worker, he’s mostly out in the community, meeting young people where they are. “I don’t like being stuck in one place, so it allows you to move around,” Nat says.
YSAS Ringwood team leader Hayley Gladman always flags the most complex clients for Nat, because he’s so experienced and skilled at his job. “So they’re the clients with really significant mental health concerns, and quite serious substance use where just to stop automatically would be harmful to their mental and psychological health,” Hayley says.
Nat quickly gathers all the information he can about the young person’s experiences and health history. “So he is literally just information gathering from everywhere, and it all just streams in within about a week,” Hayley says.
“He peruses it and then starts to formulate a case, bringing all the key players together that need to be involved in this young person’s care.”
Nat goes above and beyond to ensure the young people he works with have a positive experience. “We’re working with the raw end, the hard end, so it’s looking at it and going – how do we get people to believe in themselves, that they’re worthy enough to have health care.”
Empathy and kindness are at the core of his approach, and he never forces any care or treatment. Over the years, he’s developed a list of other workers who also take a trauma-informed approach. “If I find someone in the hospital and they were nice to the client, I’ll get their number.”
It’s not always easy work, so over the years, Nat has learnt ways to avoid burnout. “Instead of running around like a chicken, which we would have done in the early days, it’s slowing it all down.”
His favourite form of self-care is walking his dog, Lola, along the river. “When you walk in the door she knows okay, you need a little something right now,” he says. “She’s quite good that way.” He is also grateful for the team at YSAS Ringwood – who are always available to have a chat or a laugh when it’s been a long day.
“People listen and support each other here,” he says. “It’s a safe space, which is important to be able to do your work.”