Graduate nurse follows in her mothers footsteps

The first day on the job was extra special for graduate nurse Aliza Nasato who started her nursing career at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) last month.

Aliza is following in the footsteps of her mother Gillian, a long-serving Royal staff member and Acting Nursing Director of Cancer Care Services.

Aliza, who works in ward 5C, has always been interested in health, fitness and nutrition, so nursing was a natural career choice for her.

“Mum and I share a passion for haematology oncology, which I identified during my clinical placement in ward 5C as a nursing student, and by nursing my grandfather through pancreatic cancer,” Aliza said.

“Working in the same service line as mum is an absolute bonus.”

Gillian, who has worked at RBWH for 29 years, said she is immensely proud of her daughter and all she has achieved to date.

“As a mother I tried to influence her to work hard, take care of herself and to be caring and generous towards others; advice I am certain all mothers give to their children,” Gillian said.

“If my footsteps are now a path she is travelling, then I see that as a positive road to be on.”

A lot has changed since Gillian started as a nurse, but she has some important advice for Aliza and any new nurse starting their career.

“Work hard, remember the value and importance of your profession in caring and advocating for our patients,” Gillian said.

“Keep learning throughout your career and never forget that our patients come first and they are the reason for turning up to work each shift.”