See, Treat, Assess and Diagnose Barefoot and Brilliant Nurse Practitioners
Barefoot Medicine Whitsundays is known for its unique blend of a relaxed atmosphere and top-tier professionalism in healthcare. A key factor in the success of this well-established medical institution is its dedicated nurse practitioners, who expertly assess, diagnose, and treat patients with skill and care. These individuals who work diligently behind the scenes, play a crucial role in delivering exceptional patient care.
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced Registered Nurse with specialised skills and the authority to diagnose and treat various health conditions. Holding a master’s degree, NPs have high clinical independence and are endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. With around 3,000 NPs in the country, they provide patient-centered care, contribute to research and education, and offer services like Medicare rebates, prescriptions, referrals, and diagnostic tests, working closely with other healthcare professionals.
Barefoot Medicine Whitsundays is fortunate to have two of these exceptional healthcare professionals, Brett Johnson and Rachel Jakeman, who each bring their own unique brilliance to the team.
Brett Johnson
Brett’s nursing journey began in 1979 when he switched from university science to hospital-based training in Albury, NSW. After 18 months in Rockhampton, he completed a general ICU certificate at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, followed by work in general, pediatric, and neonatal ICUs in Perth for two years. He then returned to Northeast Victoria, managing the Critical Care and Dialysis Units at Northeast Health Wangaratta for 23 years. In the early 2000s, he pursued a Master's of Clinical Nursing – Nurse Practitioner and completed a 5-year internship.
Endorsed in March 2011, Brett worked at Albury Wodonga Health, then moved to Portland Hospital in 2019, where he completed his Nurse Practitioner training. He took on various roles, including coordinating geriatrician clinics, managing nursing home rounds, consulting on critically ill patients, running respiratory clinics and exercise stress tests, drawing on his critical care expertise.
Brett explains that this partly prepared him for general clinical practice in Cannonvale which since 2022 he has found both challenging and rewarding.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with a great team and have received valued support from Colleagues GPs at Barefoot Medicine.
“While nurse practitioners don't enjoy the same clinical scope of practice as general practitioners, we can prescribe most drugs under the PBS, we can order x-rays and ultrasounds and refer to medical specialists.”
Brett explains how, over time, the nurse practitioner's scope has broadened and continues to evolve in conjunction with the collegial GPs.
“I believe we can offer a valuable service in these times of scarcity of GP appointments.”
Rachel Jakeman
Rachel began her nurse practitioner journey in the UK in 2013, leading a community-based team focused on managing chronic conditions, optimising care plans, and preventing hospital admissions. She developed advanced clinical skills in diagnosing and treating various conditions and completed an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, enhancing her evidence-based care, leadership, and patient advocacy.
Rachel also specialised in women’s and sexual health, with expertise in contraception, menopause management, and preventive screening, and advanced pediatric assessment training to provide high-quality care to children. After moving to the Whitsundays from Brisbane, she embraced regional healthcare challenges, building strong community relationships and ensuring accessible, quality services.
“My role continues to encompass clinical decision-making, health promotion, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient outcomes.
“While it is a new role, and people aren’t used to seeing nurse practitioners, individuals don’t always know what we can do or our skillset.
"As nurses, we tend to assess people a bit differently, taking a more holistic approach and looking at the full picture. That unique nursing perspective, combined with our skill set, can be a real asset.”
Due to the ongoing GP shortage in Australia, Nurse Practitioners are becoming a key alternative. Barefoot Medicine Whitsundays is actively seeking more Nurse Practitioners, if you think you'd be a great fit, get in touch!
