International Nurses Day is held each year on May 12, a global day of celebration marking the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
Like the famous nursing pioneer, Carinity nurses are selfless and dedicated to supporting people in need in their communities.
Carinity is paying tribute to the nurses working in our aged care communities and those who support seniors living in their own homes.
Rupan Maharjan, a Clinical Nurse Consultant, has worked in aged care for 16 years including the last nine years at Carinity Hilltop.
Personal experiences as a carer - and also being cared for herself - inspired Rupan to become a nurse.
"When was is Grade 7, I became sick and hospitalised for a couple of days. One of the nurses looked after me well and I was inspired by her to become a nurse," she said.
"I was a Registered Nurse back in my home town (Kathmandu, Nepal) and I looked after my paralysed grandma. From that time, I decided to work in aged care.
"I love to help residents when they need help. A career in aged care can be challenging but also rewarding."
A grandmother's illness also inspired Mylene Mayo to pursue nursing, initially in the Philippines.
"Witnessing the profound impact the compassionate care provided by nurses had on my grandmother during her illness ignited a strong desire within me to be part of their ranks," said Mylene, a Registered Nurse at Carinity Fairfield Grange in Townsville.
Being a nurse has brought Mylene "unparalleled fulfillment" and provided her with "the chance to make a positive impact on the world around me".
"What resonates deeply with me about my profession is the continuous learning it offers, where every day unfolds with fresh challenges and experiences," Mylene said.
"The satisfaction of working with seniors stems from the meaningful bonds and relationships that naturally develop and deepen over time.
"Seniors possess a wealth of wisdom and life experience that I find immensely enriching to tap into, to learn from them and gain valuable insights into life."
Muna Tamang, a Registered Nurse at Carinity Hilltop in Brisbane, is in her third year working as an aged care nurse.
She used to work as a barista, where she enjoyed interacting with people. Making connections with people is a trait she has transferred to her care of seniors.
"I have a caring nature and I believe in sharing love. I most enjoy caring for my residents and listening to their stories," Muna said.
"I love hearing about their life experiences and love the process of building rapport. If you have compassion for elderly people and love working in a homely environment, this is the best job for you."
A former St John Ambulance Brigade cadet, Gloria Jen worked in both medical and surgical wards of the QEII Hospital in Brisbane for a decade.
She is now a Registered Nurse at Carinity Karinya Place aged care community in Laidley, where she has worked for 15 years.
"From a very young age being a nurse is all I wanted to do. I enjoy working with the aged as it gives me a great sense of satisfaction," Gen said.
"I am privileged to care for those who have contributed so much to our way of life and have made Australia what it is today.
"I love hearing stories of what they have achieved in their lifetime and hope that I can help to put a smile on their faces and make their day a little brighter. I would recommend aged care nursing to others as it is a very rewarding career."
Executive Manager of Carinity Residential Aged Care, Kane Singh, thanked Carinity's nurses for their "exceptional service, unwavering dedication and compassionate care".
"Nursing is not just a profession; it's a calling, a commitment to serving others with kindness, empathy, and expertise," Kane said.
"I express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of our nurses for their unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience in providing exceptional care to our residents on a daily basis.
"Their professionalism and compassion embody the very essence of nursing, and we are truly fortunate to have such an exceptional team."
