Enrolled nurse Ahmed Loze is humbled by his recent recognition in the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) You are ACE! campaign in the "Rising Star" category for providing excellent care.
He never expected the recognition in the Rising Star Category but is grateful that his determination to spend extra time with residents at Banksia Lodge, Broulee, New South Wales, has inspired them to nominate him.
“It’s nice to be recognised, but it is lovely to be acknowledged especially by the residents,” he said.
Alice Vickery, 90, who moved from Tumut to the milder climate of seaside Banksia Lodge 18 months ago, greatly appreciates and admires all her nurses and carers. Alice and fellow resident Silvia Spiller, 83, who has called Banksia Lodge home for three years, decided to nominate four of their carers in the ACCPA’s You are ACE! campaign.
“We have such wonderful nurses and carers here. They care! I am semi-independent, but I find whenever I need help, I only need to ask, and they say they can do that, and it’s done. I’m very proud of all the staff here. They’re here for me if I need anything – it’s very comforting,” Alice said.
Silvia described Ahmed as “a lovely nurse, he’s just wonderful”.
Ahmed’s journey from personal carer to aged care nurse shows how employers can successfully identify team members with potential and assist them to upskill to fill key vacancies. He chose to continue study and has 12 months left to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree to become an RN, at a time when there are critical shortages of registered nurses.
“Banksia encouraged me to give it a crack, to give it a go. That I could bring more to the table, and it was very hard because I am not academically inclined at all, but I can make a connection with people which is what I really enjoy about the work,” Ahmed said.
His path to nursing began several years ago when aged 33, and with a young family to consider, he decided to leave an unsatisfying career in retail. Unsure of what path to take, Ahmed volunteered in aged care at Banksia Lodge where he was encouraged on to further study.
The husband and father of two daughters also wanted to spend more time with his family. Ahmed accepted a scholarship from Banksia Lodge to complete a Certificate III in Dementia Specific care. He then progressed to become an Enrolled Nurse and, with further encouragement, chose to continue with university-level nursing studies.
On a personal level, Ahmed said his motivation to work in aged care stemmed from caring for his grandmother who had Alzheimer’s Disease and watching her rapid deterioration.
“I remember, before nursing, my grandmother’s condition changed quite dramatically, and it was just very overwhelming, and I didn’t know what to do. When I started to work with dementia specific at Banksia, the residents are not always like that - some days they are telling stories and quite good. I started taking videos and sending them off to family members to see them in nice states,” he explained.
Due to his online studies with Charles Sturt University, Ahmed has completed placements at hospital-based sites in New South Wales including Dubbo, Bathurst and Liverpool.
“But to be honest each experience has been amazing because I am getting different perspectives, and this is making me become a better nurse,” he said. “I thought I would be in retail forever, but I definitely would recommend it (a career in aged care nursing) it’s worth it. The pathway is amazing. Banksia have really been good to me. The sat me down and they showed me a pathway right through to RN and afterwards.”
Ahmed also sees his strengths are in his ability to connect with people and he often encourages other nurses and caregivers to spend more time.
“People don’t realise the extra value (of time). It makes a big difference to their lives that extra five minutes.”
Aged care in Australia faces a shortage of more than 11, 000 nurses right now, with demand set to spiral in coming years with a rapidly ageing population. The Committee for Economic Development in Australia – has predicted that by 2030 there would be a shortage of at least 110,000 direct-care workers.
Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) is working on ways to attract more nurses to the sector.
“We need to show registered nurses how rewarding a career in aged care can be, caring for our most cherished Australians, and Ahmed is just one example. He’s worked right through the system and soon will be an RN,” said ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson.
ACCPA runs a Nursing Transition to Practice Program into aged care for all registered nurses and graduates.
“We need to do everything we can to attract more RNs to care for older Australians. Providers are working hard to fill a massive shortage of RNs and to upskill staff where they can. We’re advocating for better access to education, improved access to housing, particularly in rural areas, easier migration routes for overseas nurses, and direct funding of targeted workforce programs.”
Graham Wise, Banksia CEO, said: “At Banksia Lodge, we recognise the opportunity to upskill care staff to fill much needed nursing positions, and we encourage high performing team members to undertake studies to become Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses. Banksia offers internal scholarships to assist with course fees or resources, and team members are able to adjust their roster to fit in with their studies if needed.”
“We are truly proud to have supported 11 team members along this aged care career pathway in the last few years,” he said.
ACCPA congratulates the Banksia Lodge team on their You are ACE! campaign nominations.
To nominate an individual, team or organisation for the ACCPA You are ACE! campaign, visit the You are ACE! webpage.
Images supplied by Banksia Lodge
If you’re experiencing something exceptional, spare a few moments to nominate an individual, a team, or the entire organisation and acknowledge them with a ‘You are ACE!’
The Grinch might have stolen Christmas and even a computer, but he’s also won national recognition in the ACCPA You are Ace! campaign for a Tasmanian aged care May Shaw Health Centre team in Swansea thanks to a viral video, amassing 19,000 views.
ACCPA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, waters and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present.
