Helping people retain their dignity
BE INSPIRED: Amber Marchesini, part-time personal carer at Seaton Aged Care, VET in Schools graduate
I’VE wanted to do something with helping people since I was in Year 9. It feels good to be able to help someone and help people with their independence, and it’s important to help them keep their dignity. I’m making a difference in the world.
How did you make it happen?
I thought doing a course would be a good way to go. I decided to go with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation – they promote good learning, plus my friend went there, she’s an enrolled nurse and said the facilities, learning and teachers are really great. I learned so much. I got this job through the placement I did there.
What’s it like being a carer?
The best part of the job is I get to meet so many people. I think it’s a beautiful thing being able to help someone who’s unable to help themselves, to help them be more independent, that’s my favourite part about being a personal carer. As a teenager, working in a nursing home can be pretty full-on. People passing away is the hardest part about the job. It can be hard to keep professional because you have such good relationships with all the people here.
What next?
I applied to a Bachelor of Nursing. Being a personal carer has been a stepping stone for me to learn about the nursing home and caring for people. I feel more confident and I definitely want to go further up.