After working as a Midwife in the Middle East, Lynne Berridge shifted her career to Aged Care Nursing a few years ago and hasn’t looked back.
Drawn to Aged Care Nursing after witnessing the opportunity for improvements in this area, she found fulfillment and joy in helping elderly people, especially Indigenous Australians.
Throughout her locum experience in Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, she encountered unique challenges, as well as the rewarding experiences of culture, respect and storytelling.
Read below to unveil Lynne’s story of resilience, compassion, and cultural immersion.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in Aged Care Nursing.
A: I was working in the Middle East as a Midwife. When I came home to Australia, Midwifery was a closed field, and it was hard to get into a unit. So, I went back into Medical Surgical Nursing which was a steep learning curve after being out of it for about 20 years. In one of my observations during which we looked after many elderly people, I noticed that they were not treated very well, and the system was neglected in nursing. So, I transitioned into Aged Care from there and have enjoyed it since!
When my Middle East Midwife colleagues found out that I’d gone into Aged Care, they initially thought it was basically cleaning up incontinent pads. But now they realise that Aged Care is as rewarding as a Midwife because helping people at the end of their life is as important as helping people at the beginning of their life.
Q: Why did you decide to do a locum work?
A: I’m up for the challenge and I like adventure, so I accepted the opportunity when I got offered to work in an Indigenous community in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory. I have been doing Indigenous Aged Care for four years now. This was my sixth contract with Indigenous care. I was placed in the Northern Territory four times and in Western Australia once. Each experience was unique as different communities have their own set of specific requirements and needs. That makes me more determined to make positive changes and improvements in the field of Aged Care.
Q: What has been one of the biggest challenges you've faced while working in a rural locum role?
A: It is the remoteness and the feeling of isolation, especially when you’re away from your family and friends and sometimes away from creature comforts. One of my placements was in a small community where the closest town was 500 kilometres away.
Q: Have there been any positive surprises with locum nursing you hadn’t considered?
A: I’m really honoured to be exposed to a 65,000-year-old culture and to witness how special their practices are and how they teach and learn to care, respect and take pride in their country to sustain their culture. I was invited to an Indigenous ceremony when we lost an elder. It was a privilege to observe relatives and friends perform rituals and mourning practises through song and dance.
On another occasion, I was working on a night shift. I came across a booklet about one of the residents. His music is on Spotify and he is a prominent Indigenous artist, so I listened to his songs which were very inspirational. On a separate occasion, I met an elder who had been awarded an Order of Australia Award for outstanding service and exceptional achievement. These elders are the leaders of their mobs and they are very revered men and women in their communities. It’s amazing and deeply rewarding to be able to care for them. These senior people are such strong advocates for their culture and their community. The song written by the resident I cared for, had lyrics about communicating and passing on teaching around how to catch crabs and cook. This song has enriched my life because I’m of English heritage and at school I was never taught this depth of knowledge around Indigenous Australian culture. It was eye-opening and I love it!
Moreover, the beauty of the country has been an unexpected pleasure. I have seen the most stunning natural scenery and had opportunities to visit remote communities. I once took a road trip with local Indigenous women where we travelled on the bus for six hours. Two elder ladies shared their knowledge on how they contract water and how they utilise the resources of the land. It was an honour to have been able to learn about that firsthand.
Q: How has working with Medacs Healthcare benefited your career?
A: Medacs Healthcare has been one of the best employers I’ve ever had. I save a lot of money because I’m paid well for what I do. I have over 30 years of nursing experience and I aim to perform to the best of my medical knowledge, Medacs Healthcare recognises this and has been very supportive.
My Recruitment Consultants are great and they support everything I do. They’re positive, approachable, always helpful and they treat their staff with respect. Medacs Healthcare is a very good employer.
Q: What advice would you give other nurses considering locum work?
A: Prioritise your mental health. For example, one of the first questions I ask my Recruiter when considering a locum placement, is if there is a pool or somewhere I can swim. I like to make sure I can swim somewhere as this exercise helps my mental health. In Nhulunbuy, there’s a beautiful aquatic centre and I usually visit the pool if I go there during weekdays. I also enjoy yoga. If you decide to locum, you’ll be taken care of by your management and Medacs Healthcare. Your contract will be for a short, limited amount of time and you’ll be well paid to complete the work required however mental health is what matters most. So just take care of yourself.
Another piece of advice is that you will need to work hard, it’s not purely a holiday. Once you’ve fulfilled your contract and completed your roster you can enjoy the new location and all it has to offer.
