Working as an aged care nurse comes with a certain set of stereotypes, some say it as an end of career role – not the start.
However, we beg to differ. Aged care is one area of nursing that will keep on growing as Australia faces a larger and larger ageing population over the next 20 to 30 years. Working as an aged care nurse is challenging, rewarding, interesting and engaging. There are more than 170,000 Australians living in aged care homes, most living with one or more chronic conditions such as chronic pain, dementia and depression, for example.
Having a registered nurse in an aged care setting means that elderly residents can receive the timely care and medical attention they are entitled to and so desperately need.
But if you need more persuasion, here we explain just some of the attractions of working as an aged care nurse:
There is a shortage of workers, so job security is strong
Nurses account for less than 27% of the workforce in the aged care sector, with each nurse often having to care for more than 100 residents. The demand to increase the number of nurses is extremely high.
People are also living longer which means the demand for those to care for the elderly increases, and shows no signs of slowing down. Job security in the field of aged care nursing is strong and there will always be a demand for aged care nurses.
You have to have a vast knowledge of a multitude of areas
As an aged care nurse, you are going to be dealing with a large number of elderly people, all who are likely to have at least one chronic condition. You need to have a vast, comprehensive knowledge of everything to enable you to provide holistic care.
Many think that working in an aged care setting will mean you lose valuable nursing skills and knowledge learnt will slow down, but it is very much the opposite.
You develop memorable, rewarding relationships
No one wants to move into or have his or her relatives live in an aged care facility. It is hard enough for the individual and those close to them to have to give up their home and lose some of their independence. However, this transition can be made more bearable with the support of aged care staff and nurses. Often you become like family to the residents, and helping them grow old gracefully and with the respect and dignity they deserve is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
If you have recently graduated and are considering your career options, be mindful that this speciality area (and over 170,000 people) greatly needs many more highly skilled, compassionate and enthusiastic aged care nurses.