5 minute read
Meet the Staff - nurses in WA and NSW
Q+A with Sazh Thapa, Assistant in Nursing at Fairfield Aged Care Home, NSW
Sazh Thapa is a carer, through-and-through, and loves nothing more than building close and enduring relationships with those she looks after at Fairfield Aged Care Home in NSW.
L&L: What made you want to become a nurse?
ST: I love caring for people. This has always been how I am. When you feel like this for people, wanting to make them feel better, then there is no better job to do than be an aged care worker.
L&L: How long have you worked in aged care and when did you join Hall & Prior?
ST: Hall & Prior was my first job as an Assistant in Nursing. I have been here at Fairfield Aged Care Home for over two years. I very much love coming into work as I have wonderful relationships with both the staff and the residents, which makes each day’s job tasks more fun - rather than just work!
L&L: What does an average day look like?
ST: An average day for me is about always being happy. Fairfield is a very big home so we are assigned to groups of residents, and what is important to me is to engage with each of the residents that I am lucky enough to be assigned to.
L&L: Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for.
ST: When I have done my work and I can see how happy my residents are, I feel extremely rewarded. They show their happiness of having me personally be their carer.
L&L: What is the best piece of advice you ever got about caring for others and from who?
ST: The best advice was from my work colleagues. They said to always take the time to understand and respect your residents, no matter what else you need to achieve and how short you are on time.
L&L: What is the best thing about working at your aged care home?
ST: I feel my home is like a family. We have many Nepalese staff here at Fairfield and it is really wonderful to work within this group. We are a great team here at Fairfield.
VERY CARING Sazh Thapa loves her working life at Fairfield Aged Care Home.
L&L: What have you learned about yourself and those you care for while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?
ST: I have learnt to be patient with others and that caring for others is very selfless and rewarding.
L&L: How would others describe you?
ST: I have asked my fellow staff and they said that I am a great team player, I am very caring towards staff and residents and a really nice person - and I am happy with that description!
L&L: What qualities are required to make a great worker in your opinion?
ST: Patience is very important, as well as a caring nature. I always say you should show respect to everyone you come in contact with, regardless of what role they play in our home and work environment.
FAST FACTS
If I wasn't working in aged
care, I would - be a singer.
What is your favourite movie?
Titanic.
What’s your favourite song?
Love Me Like You Do.
When I’m not at work you’ll
often find me - at home doing my drawings and writing stories or poems.
Q+A with Nancy Cullen, Registered Nurse at Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community, WA
Nancy Cullen, a Registered Nurse working in Extra Services at Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community in High Wycombe, has worked in aged care since arriving in Australia from the Philippines, and it’s this long-term commitment to caring which makes her such a valuable addition to the team.
Photography by Caroline Gammage.
L&L: What made you want to become a nurse?
NC: I enjoy helping people particularly when they are unwell and in need of care.
L&L: How long have you worked in aged care and when did you join Hall & Prior?
NC: I came to Australia as a fully qualified nurse and began my dedication to aged care when I joined Carlisle Nursing Home (now Windsor Park Aged Care Home, also a Hall & Prior aged care home) in 1995. I’ve remained in aged care since then.
L&L: What does an average day look like for you?
NC: A typical day is a very busy one, interacting with staff and residents while carrying out my daily routine and attending to anything unforeseen or out of the ordinary that may occur.
L&L: Tell us about one part of your job that makes you feel really rewarded and connected to those you care for.
NC: Making residents feel comfortable and relieving their pain and discomfort while keeping a smile on their face.
EMPATHY AND COMPASSION Left, Nancy and above with Karingal Green resident Shirley (Sue) Davis.
L&L: What is the best piece of advice you ever got about caring for others and from who?
NC: To show empathy and compassion, to be a good listener and treat those in my care as they are Christian values.
L&L: What is the best thing about working at your aged care home?
NC: I enjoy the conversation and joviality in my interactions with the residents.
L&L: What have you learned about yourself and those you care for while you’ve worked for Hall & Prior?
NC: I feel my character and understanding has further developed while I’ve worked in the company of aged people and I have an appreciation of the old and infirm, their life experiences and daily battles with their health.
L&L: How would others describe you, do you think?
NC: I would like to think they think of me as no-nonsense, dedicated and hardworking.
FAST FACTS
If I wasn't working in aged care,
I would - be a karaoke singer.
What is your favourite movie?
Gone with the Wind.
What’s your favourite song?
Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.
When I’m not at work you’ll
often find me - at a Coffee Club with my husband.
L&L: What qualities are required to make a great worker in your opinion?
NC: A sunny disposition and genuine desire to help others, an excellent command of nursing skills and the ability to stay calm in a crisis.
