Safe, comfortable, connected, and at home.
This is the daily approach that carers strive for every day when looking after the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of Narrabri’s Whiddon Group residents.
On Friday, May 7, an information day was held for those interested in considering a future career in residential aged care.
This covered not only nursing, but various positions of employment which contribute to the smooth running of the Whiddon Group organisation.
After a tour of Robert Young and Jessie Hunt facilities, participants were given the opportunity to listen to informative talks from Whiddon residential care nurses and Community College Northern Inland personnel.
Merea Bruce, an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN), talked about how she began her career at Jessie Hunt Nursing Home more than 20 years ago, as a cleaner working two days a week.
A natural affiliation with her environment saw Merea progress to a laundress position, moving on to be a kitchenhand, and then a cook.
Merea considered how she loved being around the residents and wanted to strive to do more.
She then went ahead and studied for an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) certificate and did not stop there, completing this story of two decades of dedication by progressing her studies and becoming an EEN.
Speakers talked about and encouraged the flexibility of job roles within the Whiddon Group, with the ease of being able to shift positions within the organisation to find a role that suits employees best, being a focal point of the day.
AIN Emma Carroll spoke of the rewarding aspects of her work, and the career paths within her role as an AIN continually open to change, such as a role as residential based care
coordinator and activities officer.
These roles involve opportunities such as encouraging therapies and creative programs for residents such as music and art.
Emma regularly brings ‘Gizmo’ her Maltese Shih-Tzu, along with her for the day.
Gizmo spends his time in the Robert Young courtyard and takes great delight in snuggling up to residents, which is widely considered to be good therapy in aged care and rehabilitation centres.
Representatives from Community College Northern Inland, trainer Maree Taylor and VET manager Vicki Zammitt, spoke about the benefits of students studying and working simultaneously.
Those interested in pursuing this path are encouraged to contact Community College Northern Inland for more information.
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