Freshly settled into his role as Sexual Health Clinical Nurse Consultant, for Chris Bailey-Mills this opportunity is an exciting new chapter in his career of caring for others.
"I've always been passionate about caring for people. During school I would volunteer with students living with a disability to ensure they felt included and welcome with their peers. Everyone I met encouraged me to be a nurse from an early age," he said.
"Once I left high school I started a job in the aged and disability sector, working with people who have both intellectual and physical disabilities. While I was in this role, all the registered nurses strongly encouraged me to go to university to do my nursing degree. After considering my options, I commenced my Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Wollongong.
"I have now been nursing for many years and have had various roles within NSW Health and the private sector. I have worked in many specialities such as paediatric oncology, disability and aged care, medical and surgical and vaccination clinics.
"I don't think I could ever stop being a nurse; I love the profession and it gives me great job satisfaction knowing I am making a difference in people's lives."
While it is still early days in his new role, Chris is enthusiastic about the job and the work he will be doing.
"Being a part of the LGBTQI+ community, I have always been passionate about LGBTQI+ health and I've always wanted to give back to the community to provide a safe space for people to be who they are without judgement. Working in various nursing roles, I have always been the champion for LGBTQI+ patients and being an advocate for them," he said.
Chris first became aware of Sexual Health nursing while he was working in a vaccination clinic in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
"I worked with the Illawarra Sexual Health Clinical Nurse Consultant, and I was in awe of the work she did in the Sexual Health speciality. My knowledge of Sexual Health nursing was limited, as it's not something that is taught in a general nursing degree," he said.
"After our shifts together, I wanted to know all the details of how I can get a job in Sexual Health ASAP. I enrolled myself in various courses and training programs to prepare myself for a potential job opening.
"I found a maternity relief position for a Sexual Health Registered Nurse position, which I applied and was successful for. I took a jump of faith and left my permanent position for a temporary position, and it paid off.
"I fell in love with Sexual Health Nursing with a passion and completed a Graduate Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health specialising in HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). I soon climbed the ranks achieving Clinical Nurse Specialist status and now I am a Sexual Health Clinical Nurse Consultant."
Find out more about sexual health services in Southern NSW and Murrumbidgee Local Health Districts
- with thanks to Murrumbidgee LHD
