
04 February 2025
February 5th, 2025, marks Primary Health Care Nurses Day, a day to honour the incredible contributions of over 98,000 primary health care nurses across Australia. Primary health care nurses work tirelessly in diverse settings such as general practice, aged care, schools, community health, and more, playing a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of Australians.
This year, we’re celebrating the theme ‘Treating the whole person, not just the hole in the person.’ This campaign sheds light on the science, expertise, and compassion that primary health care nurses bring to their roles. Their work goes beyond treating symptoms, focusing on the whole person through a holistic, patient-centred approach that leaves a lasting impact on their communities.
To celebrate this special occasion, we caught up with three exceptional practice nurses working in the EMPHN catchment – Tessa Chan (Healthabove Medical Clinic), Lauren Rawlinson (Wicklow Avenue Medical Centre), and Marta Salek (The Hills Medical). Their unique journeys and insights highlight the vital role of primary health care nursing across our communities. Keep reading to learn more about Marta’s experience with practice nursing.
How a career change led Marta to a more fulfilling role in patient care –

Marta’s journey into practice nursing started differently than most. Initially a software engineer and documentation writer, Marta thrived on problem-solving but found the industry unfulfilling. At 30, she took a leap into nursing, embracing a profession that allowed her to combine analytical thinking with compassion and patient connection. Beginning her career in the hospital system, Marta discovered that while technical skills were vital, the most rewarding moments came from listening, understanding, and offering compassion. It was this passion for ongoing patient relationships that ultimately led Marta to practice nursing, where she could follow patients’ journeys beyond the hospital doors.
At her clinic, Marta has found that practice nursing offers incredible versatility. While clinical tasks like wound care, vaccinations, and stock management form part of her role, it’s the in-depth work of GP Management Plans and Health Assessments that she enjoys the most.
“I find that these sessions give me the space to listen to patients, often then uncovering concerns they may have ignored or hesitated to bring up previously. Being late diagnosed as neurodivergent means that I can take a unique approach to assessments, allowing conversations to flow organically giving patients the confidence to share what truly is happening with their mind and body,” she says.
Beyond patient care, Marta has also found a passion for data-driven health promotion, using POLAR analytics to identify at-risk patients and re-engage them with essential screenings and preventative care. The satisfaction of helping someone reconnect with their health, especially those who may have been lost to the system, fuels her motivation.
For those considering a career in practice nursing, Marta strongly believes curiosity will be your best friend. By asking questions and building trust with medical teams, it ensures that nurses are seen as essential partners in patient care. Being open to patients’ stories, staying informed about evolving health initiatives, and fostering strong relationships with GPs and allied health professionals enables practice nurses to provide the best care for their communities.
Marta hopes that the role of practice nurses continues to evolve beyond basic practical tasks. “With a nurse’s ability to assess, listen, and action, nurses are often the first point of contact for patients navigating complex health issues. Ideally, if more MBS items support nurse-led assessments and interventions, it could be a fantastic way reduce the strain on GPs while ensuring patients receive the full care they deserve.” she says.
Marta’s journey to practice nursing is just one example of the dedication and impact of practice nurses in our community. Discover more inspiring journeys by reading Tessa’s and Lauren’s stories.