Marita Wilson and Jess Adams
Marita Wilson, an Associate Nurse Unit Manager (ANUM), has long been a dedicated advocate for her colleagues, particularly through her role as a Job Representative for the ANMF. With over two decades of experience in healthcare, Marita has continuously worked to inspire and mentor younger colleagues, empowering them to find their voices in the workplace and take on leadership roles.
One such colleague, Clinical Nurse Specialist Jess Adams, shares Marita’s commitment to advocacy, both for her peers and for the wellbeing of patients.
Recently, Marita and Jess expanded their roles by becoming Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs). In these positions, they have quickly embraced their legal rights as an HSR to make a notable impact in their workplace. Together, they have worked closely with the ANMF and their management to address key concerns and implement positive changes. For example, they led an initiative aimed at enhancing staffing ratios in the emergency department, using comprehensive data on patient presentations and other key factors to advocate for improvements. Their efforts culminated in ‘the implementation of a new roster designed to better balance staffing needs and ensure a safer working environment for their team,’ Marita says.
In addition to their work on staffing, Marita and Jess have been proactive in addressing safety concerns, collaborating with management to enhance existing systems – such as the duress alarm system – to further protect staff. Their approach has been ‘constructive and solutions-driven,’ Jess says, always focused on identifying areas for improvement and working together to implement effective solutions.
Marita and Jess have also played a key role in educating their colleagues about the importance of completing Risk Management forms, which are crucial for identifying potential workplace hazards.
‘A lot of people have trouble completing RiskMans,’ Jess explains, so Reets [Marita] and I have done a lot of education around it.’
By providing easy-to-understand resources and encouraging participation, they have helped streamline the process and empowered their peers to contribute to ongoing safety improvements.
Both Marita and Jess are devoted advocates for the HSR role. They see it as an invaluable opportunity for professional development and career growth, while also making meaningful contributions to the safety and wellbeing of their colleagues. They actively encourage other nurses, midwives and carers to consider taking on this important responsibility in their own workplaces.
‘It’s a great learning opportunity,’ Jess says. ‘Being an advocate for positive change is really fulfilling.’
‘Being an advocate for positive change is really fulfilling.’ – Jess Adams
Reflecting on their experience, Marita and Jess found the ANMF training course to be exceptionally informative and comprehensive.
‘I thought the ANMF course was amazing,’ Marita says. They both appreciated the course’s detailed coverage over five days, and particularly the key lesson: “You carry no obligations, yet you have the ability to make change.” This resonated with them, as it showcased the HSR’s ability to use their legislated powers to drive positive change when improvement is identified. As they continue their advocacy work, both Marita and Jess are committed to making their workplace a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.
Their work as HSRs emphasises the importance of advocacy, collaboration and proactive problem-solving in creating a safer and more positive workplace. By working alongside unions, their colleagues and management, Marita and Jess have made a lasting impact, demonstrating the value of teamwork in improving conditions for all.
