Nora Gautam, Registered Nurse, Calvary Flora McDonald Retirement Community, Cowandilla, South Australia

I started working with Calvary about 3½ years ago as a personal care worker and really wanted to learn more about nursing in aged care. I was an intensive care nurse back home in Nepal but I had to study again here. First I studied to be an enrolled nurse then I studied for my Bachelor of Nurses.

Three weeks ago I started working here as a registered nurse.

I don’t regret the extra study because I have learned a lot, and everything is different here from Nepal. I am always keen to learn new things and new skills. Aged care has taught me a different way of caring – I have an emotional attachment to this job.

One of the things that I love most about working in aged care is that I am surrounded by smiles every day.

It isn’t easy to pick just one resident who has inspired me but the person that comes to mine right now is Sr Carmel Clarke. She has been devoted to healing the community ever since she was very young, and still is, despite health issues. I have learned from her to endure change and handle life challenges without any hesitation. I have always received encouraging word from her.