Jon Coghill & Tim Reid
What’s it like as a burns unit nurse facing the Bali bombings chaos? Meet Jane, a Kiwi nurse who handled overflow victims – the smell, the teamwork, the emotional toll. This street chat dives into her life on the frontlines, mentoring, and country music as saviour – listen for the raw truth that’ll stay with you.
Ready for some stranger stories? Personal stories of love, resilience & daring unfold in this loveable podcast, as story-collectors Tim Reid & Jon Coghill wander the streets of Australia (and sometimes a little further), microphone in hand, chatting to strangers.
It’s conversations… with everyday people.
Episode Summary
Meeting Jane the Burns Unit Nurse
Tim spots Jane in Gimpy and kicks off a chat. Jane works 12-hour shifts as a burns unit nurse. Any off day is her favourite. She loves the floor over management – ICU, burns, plastics, emergency. Patient advocate at heart.
The Bali Bombings Chaos
Jane was a burns unit nurse in New Zealand during the Bali bombings. They took overflow from Australia’s units. Chaos hit like a code blue – everyone drops tools to help. The burnt skin smell never leaves. Hearing lasts longest, so music calms sedated patients.
Coping as a Burns Unit Nurse
Jane manages by focusing in the moment. After, country music, gardening, her dog help. She loves country for every emotion – dance, cry, laugh. “Stronger” got her through her partner’s death three years ago.
Impactful Patient Stories
A Meningococcal boy called her “other mother” – she’d tease him like her kids. Years later, he’d yell out at shops. Proudest moment: advocating, making small differences in Indigenous areas like Dumuji, Mornington, Mount Isa.
Adventurous Nursing Path
Jane chases challenge – outreach in Northern Territory, school health nurse. Auntie inspired her at three; she dressed in uniforms. Can’t imagine retiring at 60 – she’d volunteer. Nursing’s in her blood, addicting if you love it.
Fundamentals Never Change
Basics matter most: care, advocate. Policies grow, but every job needs looking after each other. Gimpy centres her yearly. Meeting old friends? Fundamentals stay the same. She’ll be here next year, beer in hand.
Chapters
00:01 – Intro and meeting Jane in Gimpy
00:26 – Famous name mix-up and 12-hour shifts
00:42 – Kath & Kim shout-out, favourite day off
01:23 – Bali bombings overflow in burns unit
02:30 – Chaos, burnt skin smell, music for patients
03:06 – Coping: country music, gardening, dog
03:40 – Country music emotions, “Stronger” after loss
05:09 – Meningococcal boy calls her “other mother”
06:12 – Proud of Indigenous outreach, mentoring
07:25 – Auntie inspired at three, can’t retire
08:35 – Advocate basics, fundamentals never change
09:05 – Gimpy yearly, same spot next year – farewell
00:26 – Famous name mix-up and 12-hour shifts
00:42 – Kath & Kim shout-out, favourite day off
01:23 – Bali bombings overflow in burns unit
02:30 – Chaos, burnt skin smell, music for patients
03:06 – Coping: country music, gardening, dog
03:40 – Country music emotions, “Stronger” after loss
05:09 – Meningococcal boy calls her “other mother”
06:12 – Proud of Indigenous outreach, mentoring
07:25 – Auntie inspired at three, can’t retire
08:35 – Advocate basics, fundamentals never change
09:05 – Gimpy yearly, same spot next year – farewell
Key Moments
- Bali bombings chaos: overflow victims, burnt skin smell that never fades
- Music calms sedated patients – heart rates drop, hearing lasts longest
- “Stronger” song got her through partner’s death three years ago
- Meningococcal boy yells “other mother” at shops years later
- Proud advocate in Indigenous areas – small differences matter most
- Auntie knew at three: dressed in uniforms, nursing in her blood
- Can’t retire: volunteer instead, it’s addicting if you love it
Listen to the Full Conversation
Burns unit nurse life? Jane’s story hits hard – inspiring, real, raw. Listen now on your favourite platform
🎙️ Want more, Stranger?
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Made & Hosted by Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto
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