Yarning with Lesley Salem, the first Aboriginal Nurse Practitioner

Nurse & Midwife Support Podcast

https://www.nmsupport.org.au/news/podcast-lesley-salem-first-aboriginal-nurse-practitioner Wonnarua woman Lesley Salem was the first Aboriginal Nurse Practitioner. She has dedicated her career to improving care for people experiencing chronic illness in rural and remote communities. She joined us on the podcast to share her story and the insights earned from her experiences, including her passion for diverse forms of education and the importance of mentoring the next generation of First Nations healthcare workers. Lesley tells us: “It starts with the growth of our students as undergraduates. It's the growth that [comes from] believing in what you can do. I thank God that I did Oral Vivas, because I've got mild adult dyslexia, and I can't write for crap. Any book I've published, you'll see another name there with me. It's usually my best friend, Barb Harvey, who takes me through every paragraph and says, "What are you trying to say here?" But we need encouragement. As long as our universities or Western models were oral ... I could have given 50,000 words without a problem. I could have had my notes in front of me and referenced any talk that I give along the way. I don't know what it is, but I can't get it from my head to paper. There's no consideration for anyone with learning difficulties or anything. So a lot of our good nurses, who don't have that ability to write, feel that they're left out and leave. New ways of learning, bringing back Oral Vivas, letting somebody talk or show what they can do. A lot of our Aboriginal nurses will feel left out, particularly from our rural and remote areas, because universities do nothing to embrace a different way of learning. I was lucky in country hospitals, there was an Oral Viva for everything. I barely passed any written thing, but we were so lucky, every PTS stage, everything up, we had to do an Oral Viva. Thank God, because I could talk.” Thank you Lesley for joining us and sharing your knowledge. If you’d like to keep up with Lesley or look at her beautiful artwork, you can check out her website. https://www.lesleysalem.com.au/ This podcast is part of our special NAIDOC week newsletter, Edition 21 — Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and midwives. https://www.nmsupport.org.au/resources/newsletter/21 The newsletter also features podcasts with CATSINaM CEO Dr Ali Drummond and Aunty Gina Bundle and Alexandrea Burton of the Baggarrook midwifery program. https://www.nmsupport.org.au/news/podcast-cultural-safety-dr-ali-drummond https://www.nmsupport.org.au/news/podcast-baggarrook-midwifery-aunty-gina-bundle-and-alexandrea-burton If you’re struggling and need to talk, Nurse & Midwife Support is here to support you: 1800 667 877 or by email. https://www.nmsupport.org.au/support