6 Reasons Nurses Choose to Work in Aged Care

Posted 26th July 2024 | 5 minute read

Written by Jesse Gramenz 

When you think of nursing, you tend to think of hospitals. But there's a lot of perks to working in aged care that you might not know about and quite a few lifestyle benefits that tend to go unnoticed. So, what are they? And could aged care be right for you? Let's find out.

1. They want to be a specialist in one of the fastest growing areas in healthcare

Perfect your clinical skills and fast-track your nursing career in aged care: one of the most rewarding and fastest growing fields in healthcare.

• Become an expert in managing long term chronic illness, high complex needs and co-morbidities
• Be the most relevant specialist for the largest growing population in Australia

2. They want real relationships with residents and families

When you work in aged care, you put down roots. There's a chance to build relationships with families and residents unlike just about any other job in healthcare.

The reality is, everyone working fulltime spends more time at work than they do at home. So, for us, aged care is an extension of our own homes. And residents are an extension of our family.

- Linda Kearton, Clinical Governance Manager

Be a part of a real, living community in aged care. There's nothing else like it.

3. They want accelerated roles into leadership

As a Registered Nurse in aged care, you get to be the captain on the floor and an opportunity to lead Enrolled Nurses and support workers. Because of this, even early career Registered Nurses get immediate experience in leadership.

Nurses and managers are typically registered nurses. And we are the top of the pecking order in the operational model [for aged care]. So, really we get to help shape the services we provide and provide that support and structure along the way. 

And it's through shaping services and structures that you can be at your creative best. 

- Mark Aros, Facility Manager at St Vincent's Care Heathcote

And because of that early experience in leadership, at St Vincent's Care, we've found that often where a leadership role in a hospital might take 10 years to achieve, we've seen similar progression in aged care take half that time.

So, if you want to develop into more senior roles such as a clinical manager or a facility manager, the opportunities are there for you in aged care.

4. They love care that is more than just clinical

When you work in aged care, you'll likely be caring for someone from the day they step into aged care until the day they die.

That means you're caring for more than just wounds and broken bones.

You're considering a resident's history. Their whole life's story. All to give them the best possible care (and life) that you can.

Everything from a resident's environment to their routines and relationships affects their health -- just like it does with everyone else.

Nurses who love aged care love to understand a whole person's being, because they know it's the best way to help a resident live their best life.

There is little else more rewarding than the opportunity to do life with aged care residents and their families. And that is something really special.

5. They see the chance to change aged care for the better

In aged care, you're not just a tiny cog in a big machine. On your shift, you are the captain on the floor. 

As a nurse and a leader, your influence can change the lives of the aged care home where you work including residents, families and even your colleagues.

And when you do that really well, you change the industry for the better. Especially when you get the chance to lead at a more senior level.

Read on:

• Explore Aged Care Nursing Jobs in Townsville
• Explore Aged Care Nursing Jobs on the Sunshine Coast
• Explore Aged Care Nursing Jobs on the Gold Coast
• Explore Aged Care Nursing Jobs in Toowoomba

6. They get to be a hero

Have you ever had an older person say how thankful they were for you? Or have a family member hold back tears at how grateful they are that you're caring for the person they love?

Aged care isn't always easy. And any nurse who works in aged care will tell you that. Families can be hard. Residents can be hard too.

But then there's the moments that make the work all worthwhile, and the reward is like nothing else. Especially for residents whose only family are the staff that support them.

Be a real hero and a light in someone's life -- not just another number on a payslip.

Parting Thoughts

For faster career growth, job satisfaction and work/life balance, aged care nursing can be an excellent choice. 

And while the challenge of leading, particularly as a Registered Nurse, can be difficult, the rewards are great and you can have more opportunity than ever to shape the future of healthcare as a result.