From photography, driving trucks to admin and groundskeeper, meet the healthcare workers who thrived from a mid-life career switch.
It was during a visit to a friend who was being treated for a brain aneurism in Cairns Hospital, that Nellie Ireland first considered a mid-life shift to nursing.
The newborn photographer and mother of two felt completely out of her depth in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
‘When I was in ICU with her, I didn't understand anything and I didn't like that feeling,’ Nellie said.
‘I didn't want other people to feel like that. I thought If I get into nursing, I could help to bridge that gap and help patients to understand what's going on with their loved ones.’
Nellie, 42, enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing with CQUniversity during the height of the COVID pandemic. She phased out her photography business and secured work at Cairns Hospital as an Assistant in Nursing, carrying out roles such as supporting patients to dress and bathe, changing bed linen and keeping supplies stocked.
After four years of full-time and part-time study, Nellie this year joins 226 new nurses and midwives at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
Of the graduate registered nurses, five are aged in their 50s; 30 are aged in their 40s; and 38 are aged in their 30s.
Among them is 40-year-old Will Reid, a former truck driver who credits COVID with giving him the impetus to enrol in a nursing degree.
‘There was a massive need for nurses in the industry,’ he said.
‘The pandemic was a catalyst to pursue this avenue and I think it's an awesome opportunity to level up my career and give back to the community that I have grown up in and I love.’
The biggest challenge for Will was the financial sacrifice of swapping full-time work for study.
‘I've had a lot of support (in nursing), a lot of good nurses have shown the way,’ he said.
‘It’s a great team environment where you can collaboratively care for patients and get the best outcomes.
‘I would definitely recommend that people enrol as a mature age student.’
Many staff at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service have made the mid-lift shift to healthcare, including hospital groundskeeper-turned Senior Medical Officer Dr Marcin Skladaniec.
Dr Skladaniec started work as a doctor at the age of 35, which he said made it was easier for him to relate to his patients.
‘I started off mowing grass, stacking shelves and all the things you do when you’re living in a remote community,’ he said.
‘But as time progressed, I started to get interested in medicine.’
Now a doctor at Mareeba Hospital, Dr Skladaniec said it was never too late for people to consider a career in medicine, particularly in rural and remote parts of Australia.
At 59 years young, Thea Linnan switched from admin at Queensland Health to nursing, around the same time her daughter Rheanna was studying to be a registered nurse. The pair now work at Cairns Hospital.
‘I couldn’t have done it without Rhee,’ said Thea. ‘She is very hard working, caring and dedicated.’
Learn more about medical careers with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.