Odette Lakatos
Nurse, Odette Lakatos, 52, Sydney
Being able to look after a child in the night and save their eardrum is just one of the many experiences Odette Lakatos, a nurse from Sydney, recalls when describing her experiences of working in the Northern Territory and the personal impact it made on her.
Odette applied to RAHC after hearing her oldest nursing friend’s stories of her time working with Indigenous communities in the NT. While Odette found the transition from working two days a week to five a challenge she enjoyed the opportunity to practice skills she hadn’t used in a long time and to experience living and working in an unfamiliar environment.
“Going to the NT was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. I’d certainly recommend it to other nurses who wany to get involved. My most rewarding moments were making a difference to young girls, especially in terms of their sexual health. When one of the girls brought in her sisters so we could talk about their health too, I felt privileged that I was trusted to speak to the family and satisfied with my achievement."
Odette was also pleased with the accommodation and facilities provided: “My accommodation was great. I thought there would be no facilities and limited medical equipment but the clinic was well prepared and stocked."
Odette’s experience was life changing: “It’s become a focus for what I want to do with my life," she says.
