Guest post: My journey to becoming an aged care nurse in rural NSW

In this guest post, Amber Ferguson shares her journey from working in retail to becoming a Registered Nurse – driven by resilience, determination and a passion for aged care.

Becoming a nurse was a lifelong dream, one that seemed unattainable when I left high school in Year Nine without completing my Year Ten Certificate. With no school qualifications, I entered the retail world, starting as a cashier at Woolworths. Over time, I progressed through a two-year department manager traineeship, earning a Certificate III in Departmental Operations, and eventually securing a position as a department manager.

In 2002, I relocated to Scone, NSW, where I settled in Murrurundi and met my husband. My first child was born in 2005, followed by my second in 2007. During those years, I held various roles around town, including cleaner, bar person, short order cook, and kitchen manager.

In 2016, I decided to further my education, completing a Certificate III in Accounts Administration and a Certificate III in Business Administration while working as a receptionist for Dr Sheeran at Quirindi and Murrurundi Medical Centre. My passion for healthcare grew, and in 2017, I completed a Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting, which led me to the role of Practice Manager for Dr Anthony Sheeran. I held this position for three and a half years, during which time I also completed my Diploma of Nursing through TAFE Gunnedah. Dr Sheeran was a constant source of support and mentorship throughout my studies.

Balancing the demands of home life, raising children, caring for my mother who had complex health conditions, and managing a successful general practice was certainly a challenge. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the unwavering support of my husband and family during this time.

After completing my Enrolled Nursing qualification, I faced the difficult decision of what to do next. The personal journey of caring for my mother led me to apply for a position at Quirindi Care Services. I began working as a care staff to explore whether aged care was the right fit for me. To my surprise, I found the aged care sector to be incredibly rewarding. However, I quickly realised that my hard-earned qualification wasn’t being fully utilised in my role, as I found myself doing more manual handling than clinical work.

This experience inspired me to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree through the University of New England, a decision supported by my colleagues, including General Manager Kim and Care Manager Louise Cahill at Quirindi Care Services. I completed my degree in just 18 months while working part-time. During my studies, I was awarded an aged care scholarship through the Australian Nursing College, which eased the financial burden of unpaid placements.

In October 2023, I graduated and transitioned to the role of Registered Nurse at Quirindi Care Services in November. I began the ACCPA Transitions Program in February 2024 and plan to complete it by February 2025. Alongside my work, I completed a 10-week MOOC course on Understanding Dementia with UTAS and plan to pursue further education in Dementia and Palliative Care.

My advice to others is simple: there’s no such thing as “can’t”—only “won’t.” If there’s something you truly want to achieve, break it down into small steps. Slow and steady wins the race.

I bring my personal experience of caring for my mother to my role as an aged care RN, viewing my work through two lenses: that of a family member trying to understand their loved one’s journey and that of a health professional with a broader understanding of a person’s health trajectory.