A move into the aged care sector might just be the way to get the job you’ve always wanted. While physical care is an integral part of aged care work, there are other roles, too; you might become a chef, a manager or a corporate leader.
We spoke to three people working in aged care to learn more about the journeys that led them to where they are.
Megan Kerr, registered nurse and clinical team manager, Bolton Clarke
Megan has worked in various locations for Bolton Clarke, has had part-time and full-time roles, and took the option of flexible shifts when she started a family. This variety isn’t surprising considering her tenure with the company – she first joined it back in 1995.
Since then she has progressed from a grade 2 to a grade 4 nurse. “There are so many different roles to explore and jobs to experience,” she says.
No two days are the same for Megan in this stimulating and fast-paced environment. “There is no typical day in my current role – we need to prioritise and deal with situations as they come to hand,” she says. “When visiting a client’s home, something funny or special will happen every day.”
The respect and care she has for the people she works with are at the core of how she approaches work, and aged care is a natural option for people with similar values of curiosity and kindness. “We are a guest in their home and want to help them achieve their goals in a cooperative manner,” she says.
Throughout her time with Bolton Clarke, Megan has not only been able to progress professionally, but has learned much from the people she cares for. “Clients open up to us at times, and it’s a very special privilege to be a part of that,” she says. “Older Australians have worked hard all of their lives, and they have great stories and life experiences to share.”
As in most caring professions, self-care is vital to prevent burnout, and Megan’s workplace offers a range of initiatives to support staff wellbeing, including employee assistance programs, access to discounted gym memberships, and resources for managing mental health and general wellbeing. She’s aware of the need for balance and takes time for herself: “I make sure I have great days off to refresh and rejuvenate for the week ahead.”
Compassion and an open mind are the key to a fulfilling career in aged care.
Megan is a big advocate for the aged care industry and has the experience to back it up. What advice would she have for someone considering entering the field? “Go for it! Come with an open mind, heaps of compassion, and a smile – you won’t regret it.”
Beth Conway, chef manager, McKenzie Aged Care
Beth had spent years working in hospitality and travelled abroad, “job-hopping” between different employers. Eventually, she felt disillusioned with the hospitality industry. “I was working every weekend, most nights or double shifts …” she says. “All my friends and loved ones were living these fabulous lives while I was slogging it out in a kitchen, missing out on life itself, and feeling very empty inside.”
During a period of reflection, Beth realised the limited time she’d worked in the youth and community sector had felt very rewarding, and she decided to return to study.
“Aged care was a happy accident,” Beth says. She’d been applying for part-time roles to support her studies, but was offered a dream opportunity: a sous chef role in aged care.
“It was a full-time position, working Tuesday to Saturday, finishing at 2pm on Saturdays. I had finally won my weekend back!”
After accepting the role, it didn’t take long for Beth to realise that the job satisfaction she’d aimed to obtain through studying was being met in her new role. “The joy of providing nourishment for the body and soul came very quickly to me. I fell in love with my role, and with each of the residents I served.”
There are, of course, challenging moments, such as complaints from residents’ families. Beth says people don’t always realise the amount of care that occurs in aged care facilities, the “millions of small moments of love that happen every day … Often the most important moments are the smallest of kindnesses: noticing a resident’s blanket has slipped, or knowing a particular meal is a resident’s favourite, and offering them a larger portion.”
Her compassion, and appreciation for her work and the people she works with, is evident. On a personal note, working in aged care reminded Beth of her grandmother. “I made it my personal mission to make sure that everything I put on the table would make her proud,” she says.
This work allowed Beth to combine her community values with the joy of food and cooking. And like Megan, she finds the work-life balance of aged care to be a huge benefit. “It is a very worthy career path,” she says. “You’ll be surrounded by fellow empaths and team players, full of compassion and love for their fellow human beings.”
Vicki Cain, residence manager, Arcare Pimpama
Not many four-year-olds have the workforce on their mind, but that’s exactly how old Vicki Cain was when she fell in love with aged care nursing. “My grandfather was a doctor growing up in Ballina, and I would go on house calls and hospital rounds with him,” she says.
This early insight stoked an interest than never waned, and Vicki began working in the industry at 16. She went on to complete her bachelor of nursing at 32, leading to a postgraduate degree in gerontology, specialising in dementia. She now has over 30 years’ experience working in aged care.
Like Megan and Beth, Vicki has workdays that are varied and full. In her management role there is of course paperwork and administration, but she also provides active support for her team.
“I have always believed in visual leadership, so I spend a lot of time out and about with residents and team members. Meeting with families and supporting our team is a vital role for all managers, because without them, everything falls down.”
Aged care is a natural option for people with curiosity and kindness.
Vicki says she is somewhat surprised that she still has the same passion and drive to make a difference all these years after she started. Her advocacy for residents and staff is perhaps one factor that keeps this passion burning. “Don’t be afraid to rattle cages in creating positive change,” she says.
As a manager, Vicki strives to ensure there is transparency in everything her facility does, and puts the residents at the heart of every decision.
“The key to creating a true community in residential care is to remind yourself of the question, what will I be prepared to accept when it’s my time?” Vicki says.
A supportive work environment ensures Vicki and her team maintain motivation and high standards of care, while ensuring staff wellbeing.
Reflecting on her career path, Vicki has no regrets. “Aged care has been very good to me, and I always try to pay it forward by mentoring and coaching others. I am extremely proud to be part of aged care.”
Explore whether aged care is the industry for you and check out ads for jobs in aged care on Seek.
