Meet the Mental Health Nurse Turning Lived Experience Into Lasting Change

Rasa’s journey into healthcare began during high school, when she was encouraged to participate in various work experiences. From paediatric wards to aged care homes, Rasa was subject to intense, eye-opening experiences from the age of 15. Initially feeling challenged by these experiences, she persevered—drawn to the profound human connections she formed with residents. By age 16, she was working in a high-care dementia wing.

Although initially uncertain about her career path, Rasa’s mentors recognised her innate ability to care for others and encouraged her to pursue nursing. After completing her undergraduate in 2011, she gained invaluable experience across diverse fields, including ICU, palliative care, and emergency departments, as well as rural placements and international volunteer opportunities.

I’m the kind of person who wants to try and learn and do as much as possible. Fortunately, Nursing gives you that kind of opportunity, and I started taking advantage of that as an early career nurse. That journey has never ended for me.

Her transition into mental health nursing happened by chance when she took a temporary day shift role, hoping to escape the demands of night shift. That temporary role became a three-year commitment, inspiring her to pursue a Master of Mental Health Nursing at the University of Newcastle. Studying online allowed Rasa the flexibility to balance full time work with her education.

After more than a decade in the public health sector, Rasa founded Broadleaf Mental Health, a private practice born out of her desire to provide a personalised, comforting environment for patients. At Broadleaf, clients are greeted with soft pillows, the sound of birds chirping, and a warm drink. Starting her own practice was daunting, but Rasa credits the support of mentors and past colleagues for helping her succeed.

In 2023, Rasa published her first book. Put Some Concrete in Your Breakfast: Tales from Contemporary Nursing, is a heartfelt and honest account of her experiences and those of her peers. The book aims to shed light on the realities of modern nursing, celebrate the resilience of the profession, and inspire others to pursue nursing despite its challenges.

I wanted to write the kind of book I wish I had read before becoming a nurse. I like people to be real with me, so I endeavoured to document stories that were honest, raw and that highlight the profound impact nurses have on individuals and communities.

Rasa began writing the book in 2016, drawing from her own experiences and interviews with other healthcare professionals. Though she faced setbacks with publishers, her determination to tell these stories prevailed. The result is a collection that not only sheds light on the diverse roles of nurses but also pays tribute to the emotional and often challenging realities they face.

Rasa is deeply attuned to the struggles within the nursing profession, from understaffing to burnout. She firmly believes that mentorship, alongside self-care, plays a vital role in supporting new graduates and ensuring long-term retention within the field.

Being a New Graduate Nurse is an amazing experience, one you’ll never forget, but it’s also really tough. Our new graduate Nurses are the people who may be caring for us one day! Burnout is a huge issue for Nurses. And that’s why it’s important that senior leaders in health care and education support New Graduate Nurses to prioritise self-care, seek mentorship, and remember the meaningful impact of their work.

For Rasa, nursing is not just about treating patients—it’s about building relationships, advocating for change, and fostering hope. Her story is a celebration of the resilience, compassion, and innovation that define the nursing profession and an inspiration for future generations to embrace this rewarding path.