In 2018, fresh out of nursing registration, I faced the unsettling reality of being unmatched for a graduate program. Like many new nurses, I held preconceived notions about what a “graduate nurse” role should entail, likely picturing a bustling hospital environment. However, questioning these very perceptions led me to an unexpected yet incredibly rewarding path: a trailblazing Aged Care Graduate Nurse Program dedicated to the well-being of older adults.
Looking back on the past two years immersed in this gerontological pathway, I can confidently say it has been a transformative journey, one that has demanded and fostered both strength and resilience. My chosen career trajectory directly confronts the outdated stereotype that aged care is a destination for nurses later in their careers. I’ve even encountered this bias firsthand, hearing comments that implied I should aspire to “somewhere else” and that aged care experience would limit my future employability.
However, my experience in an aged care graduate nurse program has revealed a wealth of opportunities I never imagined. Being part of this sector has propelled me forward. I was honored to be the first from my health service to participate in the Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) Emerging Nurse Leader. Furthermore, I had the privilege of contributing a reflective piece to the Aged Care Royal Commission, adding my voice to this important conversation. My role has also encompassed mentoring fellow nurses, new graduates, and students. I’ve actively championed contemporary, evidence-based approaches to aged care nursing, serving as a role model for leadership in this specialized field.
Initially, as an unmatched graduate, I was convinced that a hospital setting, with all its perceived excitement, was the only place to truly begin my career. But what if I had remained confined by those initial perceptions? What if I hadn’t dared to venture beyond my comfort zone and embrace an aged care graduate nurse program? Would I have become the nurse I am today? The answer, unequivocally, is no.
Reflecting on 2020, a year that presented unprecedented challenges, working in aged care was undeniably demanding – mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Yet, within those challenges lay profound rewards. I was privileged to offer solace and support to residents during periods of prolonged separation from their families. My role as a Registered Nurse in a Residential Aged Care Facility has profoundly deepened my understanding of the irreplaceable value of time spent with loved ones and the beauty inherent in everyday moments.
As a nurse early in my career, I am genuinely proud to share my journey within aged care nursing. My hope is to inspire other newly registered nurses to discover the deep fulfillment and professional growth that an aged care graduate nurse program and a career focused on the older person can offer.
