One of the attractions of working in aged care is the work-life balance. And Wangaratta-based Uniting AgeWell AHPRA registered Enrolled Nurse Anita Hamill certainly needs it!
She juggles a full time job with helping her husband on their farm and doing the million-and-one mum-things for their three children, aged 16, 14 and 12.
Anita is also delighted that her role is similar to that of a community nurse; visiting clients at their homes and being able to witness their improvement on an ongoing basis.
It’s also an opportunity for Anita, who has only recently joined the team at their new office in Wangaratta, to work with older people. “They are so appreciative of my support and they have so much wisdom to offer,” she explains.
Anita’s career path has certainly been varied. She was schooled in Melbourne and ended up working in admin at a number of schools. She worked for a stint in a patent and trademark firm – and then moved to country Victoria to be with her husband, who is a farmer.
Anita studied nursing and is now a registered nurse. She has worked in aged care, in hospitals and for Uniting VicTas. With the transition of CHSP services from Uniting VicTas to Uniting AgeWell, Anita was delighted to join the not-for-profit aged care provider.
“The Wangaratta team is very supportive, I love the collegial atmosphere,” says Anita. “It’s wonderful to feel so welcome, and to develop friendships at work.”
She is also attracted to the values of Uniting AgeWell which she says mirror her own.
“Older clients need kindness, warmth and reassurance. A huge part of what I do is to take things slowly with them and to actively listen to what they want. Deep empathetic listening.”
Learn more about nursing careers with Uniting AgeWell