When clinical nurse consultant Cathy Dunstan talks about her work, one word repeatedly pops up.

Rewarding.

Ms Dunstan manages the neonatal intensive care unit at Perth Children’s Hospital, and she has dedicated her career to nursing some of WA’s most critically ill babies back to health.

One of the last cohorts to undertake hospital-based training, Ms Dunstan completed her nursing certificate at Princess Margaret Hospital. Further studies saw her complete midwifery and neonatal intensive care courses.

Most of her career has been spent in the NICUs of Princess Margaret and then Perth Children’s hospitals, with a little bit of time at King Edward Memorial Hospital thrown into the mix.

“The real joy of neonates is that it’s a whole journey,” she said.

“Most other nursing you look after

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