Nursing is a role deserving of appreciation – the backbone of the healthcare system, their round-the-clock commitment to care truly makes a difference in the lives of those in their care.
Today on International Nurses Day, we’re thanking the nurses who work across our Aged Care Services for the compassion and exceptional care they deliver to our customers every day.
From administering medication to managing customers’ needs, providing them with social and emotional support, and everything in between, nurses are vital to our customers’ health and wellbeing.
Passion for helping others
Clinical nurse Xin Hu always knew she wanted to make a career out of caring for others.
“When I was deciding on which university course to study, I was torn between nursing and social work because I have always liked helping other people,” Xin said.
“I decided on nursing because I was passionate about health care and wanted to learn more specialised skills such as wound care.”
In the six years that Xin has been a nurse, she has never regretted her decision.
“I enjoy developing my skills and seeing improvement in my customers’ health. It is rewarding to know that I have helped them improve their mobility, heal their wounds, and improve their overall wellbeing.”
Xin has been a part of AnglicareSA’s Community Aged Care team for four years, providing specialised nursing care in customers’ homes, and said International Nurses Day provided an opportunity to recognise the vital support nurses provide every day.
“It’s a day to acknowledge the role of nurses and value their contribution to the community. Being recognised in this way motivates me to keep working to provide quality care.”
Compassionate nursing that makes a difference
For more than three years, Akash Gill has been one of the friendly nurses making the rounds at AnglicareSA’s Grange residential aged care site.
However, Akash did not always envision that he would become a nurse.
While studying accounting at university in 2019 he realised the world of finance was not for him.
“It was not something I was interested in,” he said.
“The Covid pandemic highlighted a significant need for healthcare workers, including nurses. At the time, I was caring for my grandpa and the things I would do to assist him were developing a nature of compassion that complemented nursing.”
Akash said he loved the strong focus on resident care as an enrolled nurse, and felt honoured to be able to advocate for their rights and health care.
“Some of the customers I care for are in a vulnerable position, and I feel privileged to be able to make sure services are safe and meeting their needs,” he said.
Akash said the compassion and empathy required to provide person-centred care was crucial for nursing and what made it such a fulfilling career.
“It can be an emotionally demanding job that requires a solid understanding of each person’s needs and the skills to help meet them. Being passionate about nursing and each customer makes the outcomes much more rewarding.”
Akash said International Nurses Day provided an opportunity for nurses to learn from each other.
“We might have different thoughts, processes, and skills, but we are all working together to provide continuous, high-quality health care to our customers,” he said.