How Emily’s dream of being a mental health nurse became reality

When Emily Hodges completed work experience at a surgery clinic, she knew from then on that she wanted to become a nurse.

It wasn’t until she finished her placement in Mental Health that she realised her dream of becoming a nurse could become reality.

“I could definitely see myself doing this, where your work is talking to people. My favourite thing about nursing is being able to spend time and talk with patients,” she said.

Now a Psychiatry Consultation Liaison at The Alfred, Emily first started off as a nursing graduate in The Alfred’s Psychiatry Unit and later transitioned to the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT), working with those in mental health crisis requiring intensive support.

Emily says one of the most unique aspects to her job is caring for people from all walks of life.

“Mental health doesn’t discriminate,” she says.

Caring for these patients is what made Emily become passionate about mental health. Now, one of her goals is to educate others on the common misconceptions of those with mental health.

“Mental health is something that shouldn’t be taboo, because so many people experience it. It’s just not talked about,” says Emily.

She hopes her work in this space will help start a conversation and make mental health conditions more understood.

“My experience in mental health has made me a very open-minded person. I often think – who are we to say what is normal?”

“I like to see people from all different walks of life and question the judgements and opinions on what we think is ‘normal’”.

And while Emily has been in this line of work for a long time now, she says there’s no two days that are the same.

“Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you get something else. I love that I’m able to reassure patients, and let them know that they can tell me anything and there will be no judgement.”