Kim Kerin-Ayres is part of the backbone that forms the McGrath Foundation’s Australia-wide network of 62 breast care nurses.

As the foundation’s clinical nurse educator, Kim’s focus is on providing educational and emotional support to this vital network of nurses, who guide women diagnosed with breast cancer through the ups and downs of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Born and bred in Sydney, Kim has worked as a cancer care nurse since 1989. In 2003, Kim received her breast care nurse certificate from La Trobe University and she later spent four and a half years as a breast care clinical nurse consultant at Concord Hospital before joining the McGrath Foundation.

“I have always had a keen interest in oncology and women’s health,” Kim said.

“I now have more than 20 years’ of experience in cancer care, and I continue to enjoy the challenge of working with patients and their families who experience breast cancer.

“It’s not always a sad story; there can be great outcomes as well.”

Kim works between the foundation’s Northbridge head office and also the Westmead Hospital’s Breast Care Institute, where she coordinates the delivery of the Breast Care Nurse Practicum and the Metastatic Breast Care Nurse Practicum.

Kim said while several nursing leaders have helped mentor and encourage her throughout her career, all nurses have the capacity to be leaders.

“The nursing leaders that have inspired me have been found at all levels of nursing from the bedside to the boardroom, but they all share the same basic qualities - vision, passion and commitment,” she said.

“I think that often nurses don’t perceive themselves as leaders, because they think that leadership is defined by a specific job title or a level of authority, but it is really a way of thinking and behaving.”

Kim travels across Australia to help with the orientation and support of the foundation’s breast care nurses. It’s a role she feels privileged to have.

“We know that breast care nurses face challenges and emotional strain each and every day,” she said.

“I never cease to be amazed by breast care nurses, with their boundless sense of compassion, resourcefulness and humour.”