Brave Blondie

Wendy Payne:
Age: 41
Industry: Hospitality & Personal Services

A demanding family life, including a young autistic child, has not stopped Wendy Payne from finding her passion and chasing her career dreams. For this mature aged carer, it's the residents' faces that make it all worthwhile.

Wendy Payne always had a keen interest in nursing. After sending her third child off to school and trying a number of different jobs, from administration to cleaning, she bit the bullet and commenced a traineeship in Aged Care.

"One of my girlfriends is an Aged Care Nurse and she encouraged me to do a traineeship," Wendy explains.

"When I first started I thought, what have I done?...but now I can't imagine doing anything else. The certificate has been the green light to my career."

Family values
Affectionately known as ‘Blondie' within the Amity Nursing Home, Wendy beams as she recounts the patients calling her nickname down the hall, wanting to know when their exercises would be taking place.

"They're my extended family, and I feel honoured to be part of their lives. I will definitely miss them if they move to Level 3," she says with a smile. "Amity only has two levels, so we call passing away moving to Level 3."

Personal Touch
Wendy has added her own personal touch to the exercise sessions by producing an audio tape in collaboration with her husband.

"I find that it soothes the patients while they are doing their exercise movements."

Having left school at 15, Wendy looked to her husband and daughter for assistance with the study component of the traineeship.

"I had never really used computers or email before and they showed me how to do it. As a mother, it was nice to use my brain again - I really enjoyed the study."

Career Path
Wendy's career in Aged Care involves assisting the registered nurses and the physiotherapist with the residents of the Amity Nursing Home at Queens Park in New South Wales.

"The best part is that you're making someone else's life better. I love seeing improvements in the residents because of what I'm doing."

Making the change
Although Wendy had her concerns about taking on a new career, she has no regrets and encourages others to follow in her footsteps.

"So many people I know stick to the career they are in even though they hate it. I tell them not to be afraid of change, I've switched careers and couldn't be happier".

Age does not appear to be a barrier to Wendy's goals either. In the future, she aspires to becoming a neurological or cardiothoracic surgical nurse and her passion indicates that she will be unstoppable.

"Now that I've found my path, I just can't imagine doing anything else."

Best part?
Seeing the faces of your patients light up as you enter the room.

Typical day?
Review paperwork from physiotherapist, check and assess ward floors for any overnight falls or incidents with registered nurse. Start exercise program with patients (in groups or one-on-one).

Hardest part?
Not enough hours in the day to attend to the needs of all the patients.

Greatest achievement?
Seeing the difference you are making in your patients' daily health and well-being.

What personal qualities do you need?
You need to have patience, compassion and a good sense of humour. Being a mother has really helped in my career as a nurse.

Advice?
You have to be mature and sensitive to your patient's needs.