Hear from our nursing and care heroes who deliver on our promise, that is to provide care that is “good enough for Mum and Dad”.
"I always had a close bond with my grandparents, it's like having your grandparents all over again."
MEET RUSSELL
In a world where career choices are often defined by societal norms and conventional paths, Ryman Healthcare Personal Care Worker Russell Duffield stands out as a shining example of someone pursuing their passion and finding fulfilment in an unexpected place.
After Russell lost his job as an engineer, his transition into the world of aged care wasn’t a traditional one, with a career change sparked by a desire to help his elderly neighbour.
“I was an engineer and when I got retrenched from that my neighbour, who was an elderly lady, suggested ‘Russ, why don’t you do aged care?’,” Russell said.
Deborah Cheetham Retirement Village, in Ocean Grove, recently opened its aged care centre and support services, creating dozens of new employment opportunities in the area. After seeing the village advertised on Facebook, Russell couldn’t help but be in awe of the offering.
Today, Russell cherishes the genuine connection he has with the residents, which makes interactions feel more like conversations with family members.
“It’s so rewarding coming to work and communicating with them and hearing what they’ve been through, I love it,” Russell said.
Despite there being so few men in aged care roles, Russell believes the work is a fulfilling path for everyone, regardless of gender.
MEET ASHLEIGH
For Deborah Cheetham Retirement Village Unit Coordinator Ashleigh Kavanagh, the pandemic had a silver lining that continues to benefit her life and the lives of countless others to this very day.
When COVID-19 grounded planes the then travel agent was encouraged to consider other career ambitions.
“As a travel agent I was stood down at the beginning of COVID,” Ashleigh said.
“It was a silver lining [the pandemic], because I’d always thought about nursing, but I loved being a travel agent and I was pretty comfortable with that, so it just kind of forced me to be like, okay, it’s time to do nursing.”
In December 2020, when the first residents moved into Deborah Cheetham, Ashleigh began a role as a village porter. Reflecting on her journey with Ryman, Ashleigh acknowledges the support she receives from village manager Charisse Spence.
“Charisse has been really supportive with my nursing and where I’m heading in my career journey,” she said.
“I wanted some more experience as an Enrolled Nurse, so when the (village) centre opened in July I started there, working in the serviced apartment area as well as the care centre just to get experience.”
Ashleigh’s journey continued with the opportunity to step into the Unit Coordinator role. “I felt like I was ready,” she said. The transition to a leadership role brought its own set of challenges, but Ashleigh embraced them with determination.
“I’ve learned a lot about myself and leadership during my journey with Ryman,” she said.
“I feel comfortable in it now, and I feel like I’m doing a good job leading the team and working with them as well.
“I’m more confident in myself.”
For Ashleigh, seizing opportunities has been a key factor in her success and she urges others entering the industry to do the same.
“I felt like I was ready,” she said. The transition to a leadership role brought its own set of challenges, but Ashleigh embraced them with determination.
MEET NAVDEEP
Weary Dunlop Retirement Village Special Care Unit Coordinator Navdeep Kaur says remembering the varied and dynamic pasts on behalf of residents living with Alzheimer’s is the ultimate privilege.
While she was always drawn to caring for the vulnerable, it wasn’t until Navdeep immigrated from India to New Zealand in 2014 that she discovered the fulfilment supporting people experiencing cognitive change could bring.
“I worked as an intensive care nurse back in India,” she says.
“When I started working with older men and women, I realised that this is the thing that will keep me happy, even if I’m away from my country, my grandma and my mum.”
To learn more and to apply for our vacancies visit Careers at Ryman. We can’t wait to see you at Care Expo Melbourne at site P165.
