Johann Bull – YNA, Clinical Nurse
I began my general hospital training in 1970 at The QEH in Adelaide, the “big smoke” compared to what I was used to and I absolutely loved it. Nursing training in those days was incredibly hands on. We rotated through a variety of wards, gaining experience across a wide range of specialties, including ICU, Recovery, Theatre and Renal Dialysis. It was comprehensive, challenging, and excellent preparation for a lifelong career in healthcare.
After completing my general training, I went on to undertake midwifery training and that’s where I discovered my true passion. From that point on, I knew I had found my calling.
How has flexibility in where or how you work shaped your professional journey as a nurse?
After I got married, we moved back to Alice Springs so we could be closer to family. I started at the Alice Springs Hospital in the Midwifery Unit, where flexibility and teamwork were very much part of the culture. The unit was wonderfully inclusive, midwives rotated through Labour Ward, Special Care Nursery, Antenatal and Postnatal services, as well as the Midwives Clinic. The variety made the work both challenging and rewarding, and I loved every part of it.
Working in a regional hospital also meant being adaptable. As the need arose, we were often called upon to assist in general wards, ED, and wherever extra support was required. One particularly memorable experience was completing a three‑month rotation in the Acute Psychiatric Ward, which broadened my skills and deepened my understanding of holistic care. That flexibility not only strengthened my practice as a nurse but also shaped my confidence and resilience throughout my career.
How has nursing empowered you to expand your career into related fields where your expertise can save lives on a broader scale?
My nursing career has taught me the value of flexibility, adaptability and a positive mindset, qualities that have opened doors to many diverse and meaningful opportunities. I truly believe this foundation shaped not only my career, but also the way I approach life.
When we moved to Adelaide in 2005 due to my husband’s health, I began working in the Midwifery Unit at Modbury Hospital. Following the closure of the unit in 2009, I transitioned to The Women’s and Children’s Hospital, working in the WAS Centre and Labour Ward. Each move expanded my skills and deepened my confidence in navigating change.
As my husband’s health declined, I returned to Modbury Hospital, closer to home, and worked across General Surgery, Orthopaedics, the ED and Hospital at Home.
In 2015, when caring responsibilities became greater, I left the hospital system and joined the YNA family, a decision I have never regretted. I felt genuinely supported, valued and cared for, and I gained extensive experience working across all major public hospitals. I particularly enjoyed my time at both the old and new RAH, spending most of my shifts in the ED.
Beyond hospital work, I also completed field based roles within the YNA Clinical Team, primarily providing wound care in the community. These experiences reinforced an important lesson for me: if you approach every role with a positive attitude, remain flexible, and genuinely want to be helpful, the experience will almost always be a good one.
I joined the ASAH team two years ago and absolutely love it. My broad professional and life experience is invaluable, experience truly cannot be taught or bought. On several occasions working in the community, my clinical knowledge and gut instinct have quite literally saved lives. During my hospital training, we were taught to rely heavily on observation skills, not just equipment, and that foundation continues to guide my practice today.
Nursing has empowered me to work across an incredible range of settings and has taken me through many diverse and meaningful chapters of my life. It has been, and continues to be, a deeply rewarding journey.
