From the cardiac ward to the classroom, teaching nursing’s next generation

As a child, Kaylene Paxton wanted to be a teacher. Nineteen years into her career as a registered nurse at Mater Private Hospital Townsville, she fulfilled her dream, teaching a new generation of nurses at Mater Education.   

“Sharing and building knowledge and skills is such an important part of being a nurse. So, when the opportunity arose to become an educator at Mater Education, I jumped at it.” 

Kaylene has been teaching enrolled nurses at Mater Education since 2021, supporting students both as they practice their skills in a simulated ward environment, and when they are completing organised work placement. 

“What I really enjoy is watching students develop their clinical knowledge; the ‘a-ha’ moments when what they are learning suddenly clicks and everything starts to make sense.” 

Kaylene started her career working as a student nurse in 2002 at Mater Private Hospital Townsville, with a desire to learn from others and to teach.  

“I changed my mind about teaching when my children were small and decided to study nursing, because I thought it would a good fit around family life.”  

“I absolutely loved nursing, but I always loved teaching when I was on the ward.” 

Developing a particular interest in the cardiovascular system during her studies, Mrs Paxton saw working at Mater Private Hospital Townsville as the obvious choice and has since spent 20 years working in their cardiac unit. 

“Mater had a great reputation for being the best cardiac service in North Queensland, and that is where I wanted my career to be.” 

Having combined her nursing career with her passion for teaching, the nursing educator relishes the opportunity to have a tangible positive impact on patients and students. 

“The best feedback I get about my work isn’t necessarily from words or compliments. It’s watching patients recover and go on with their lives, or seeing past students work as enrolled nurses in the hospital system and absolutely loving their new careers.” 

In the 22 years that Kaylene has worked at Mater Private Hospital Townsville, she has seen immense change and growth but is glad that much of the same spirit that attracted her to working at Mater endures. 

“The size of our little hospital has grown and expanded, but I love that it is still a community.”  

“The values that Mater has are a great way to live life and align with my personal values; striving to treat people with respect and kindness, helping others and always doing your best.” 

Kaylene’s life encouragement to herself, her students and to her colleagues is simple: seize the day. 

“Life is short. You don’t know what the future holds, so make the most of every day.”