Enrolled nurse Vicki Close has worked between Enliven’s two Levin homes for almost 18 years and wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I do love coming to work – I enjoy my job,” she says.
For the past four years, Vicki has been based at Reevedon Home, after spending 14 years in various roles at sister site Levin Home for War Veterans.
While the two rest homes are quite different in size, Vicki has found enjoyment working at both places.
“We’re our own little family at Reevedon Home,” she notes. “It’s all of our responsibility to look after the people and the place.”
When Vicki began her nursing role at Levin Home for War Veterans it wasn’t her first time working at the rest home.
As a 17 year-old Vicki spend a few months at the rest home as a cleaner, before helping out in the hospital wing as a nurse aide.
“That’s how it came about that I did my nursing studies,” she remembers. “Looking after returned servicemen was very special to me as my grandfather was a returned serviceman.”
She says it takes a special type of person to thrive as a nurse in aged care. Patience and a good sense of humour are key traits that are needed.
“To be effective as a nurse in a rest home you’ve got to be hands-on to know what the residents need. You’ve got to be there for them and help them with other things like their meals.
“Especially in a smaller place like Reevedon Home you’ve got to be able to look at that bigger picture of holistic care.”
Vicki says the nursing staff are greatly supported by the rest home’s health care assistants, who work so closely with the residents every day.
