A conversation with Kerry Patford, Chief Nurse of the McGrath Foundation, this International Nurses Day.
Ahead of International Nurses Day, Kerry Patford, Chief Nurse of the McGrath Foundation, whose 30-year plus career epitomises the enduring spirit of nursing, talks with the ANMJ. Kerry has been with the McGrath Foundation since 2009, serving as Chief Nurse for the past nine years. She shares her reflections on the privilege of nursing, the importance of wellbeing, and the power of celebrating the profound impact nurses’ care makes every day.
You’ve had a 30-year career in nursing. What continues to fuel your passion?
Making a difference in the lives of others. Truly knowing that the care I provide has a real impact fuels my passion every day. It’s not always a tangible or measurable outcome but you know that you are helping people when they need it the most. Nursing is an immense privilege—every interaction has the potential to change a life.
Can you share a moment or experience from your time as Chief Nurse at the McGrath Foundation that particularly resonated with you?
One of the most significant moments for me has been the expansion of our support beyond breast cancer to include all cancer types. Extending our reach will ensure that more people and families can access the vital care of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, no matter what cancer they have
Another milestone has been my involvement in the development of the McGrath Model of Care. It provides a clear, evidence-based framework for delivering high-quality, consistent cancer nursing support across Australia, regardless of location or stage of diagnosis. These achievements have strengthened the Foundation’s ability to provide life-changing care for everyone experiencing cancer.
This year, the International Nurses Day theme highlights nurses’ wellbeing. What advice would you offer nurses to maintain their own wellbeing?
First and foremost: set boundaries. It can be incredibly difficult for nurses, who are by nature deeply caring people, to leave work unfinished. But without healthy boundaries, burnout and compassion fatigue can quickly follow. It’s not sustainable to pour from an empty cup.
Self-care must be holistic—emotional, physical, and mental. Find an exercise you genuinely enjoy; movement isn’t just good for the body, it’s vital for mental clarity too. Throughout the day, consciously reset your energy. Whether it’s stepping outside for a few deep breaths, sharing a positive conversation with a colleague, or taking a quiet moment alone, these resets matter.
Surround yourself with the right people. Being around those who uplift you, who nourish your spirit and understand the pressures of the work makes an enormous difference. Avoiding toxic environments protects your emotional health and helps maintain a positive, resilient mindset.
Nurses have the power to change lives. What does it mean to you to work in a profession that can make such a significant impact?
It’s an extraordinary privilege to do what we do. The impacts we make are both immediate and enduring. Sometimes it’s during a single episode of care, you see someone’s experience shift for the better because of something you’ve done, whether through clinical expertise, information, or simply listening and being present.
Then there are the systemic impacts, like placing McGrath Cancer Care Nurses into communities, or implementing the McGrath Model of Care across health services. These initiatives create lasting change and provide more equitable cancer care across the country.
Standing beside people during some of their most difficult days not only changes their world—it changes you, too.
Nursing has given me a deep appreciation for the fragility of life. I don’t take anything for granted. We are all just one day away from our lives being turned upside down.
At every stage of my career, from bedside care to now as Chief Nurse at the McGrath Foundation, providing life-changing support, physically, emotionally, and mentally, has remained at the core. It’s a responsibility and an honour that never loses its significance.
In such a demanding profession, how can nurses create space to celebrate their achievements and support each other’s success?
By remembering that every statistic represents a real person. Behind each number is a family, a story, a life that has been profoundly impacted by a nurse’s care. There is nothing that prepares you for hearing the words, “You have cancer”—but knowing that you were there to provide support, comfort, and clarity makes an enormous difference.
As we all know, as nurses, we are naturally drawn to each other; there’s an unspoken connection and camaraderie that binds us. Whether it’s catching up over coffee, sharing a laugh in the break room, or quietly debriefing after a tough shift, these small moments of connection are vital.
We need to make a conscious effort to celebrate one another’s achievements, both big and small. Recognising a colleague’s good work, sharing proud moments, and offering genuine congratulations helps reinforce our collective strength and resilience.
Just as we lift our patients during their hardest days, we must lift each other—and ourselves. Self-acknowledgement is powerful. This International Nurses Day, I encourage everyone to reach out, celebrate the extraordinary impact your colleagues have, and just as importantly, celebrate your own.
