His great grandmother nursed in the First World War and his grandmother was a nurse in the Second World War. Michael’s mother was also a nurse, all the while raising her family as a single parent.
“I grew up in the Northern Rivers, hearing the stories about the good work of my grandmothers and my mother and felt like nurses should be treated with reverence and respect,” Michael said.
“They taught me to treat others how you want to be treated, and I wanted to emulate their compassion and kindness.”
After finishing year 12 he became a personal care worker and then trained to be an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) before enrolling in nursing at Royal Prince Alfred in Sydney.
“I was lucky to be able to be a first aid officer in at the Sydney Olympics and worked across a variety of fields, including orthopaedics.
“It was a natural progression to nursing, and the more I worked in health, the more I loved it and the more I wanted to learn.
“I hoped to increase my skills and qualifications to become a registered nurse, but as a single parent I did not quite have the time to commit to that level of study. Then life got busy, and you tend to not prioritise yourself and your aspirations,” Michael said.
At the age of 48, Michael felt compelled to complete his Registered Nursing (RN) degree to allow him to redefine his professional development and critical thinking.
“The practical work as an enrolled nurse, compared to a registered nurse is not thatdifferent. You still are focused on caring for your patients, as you would a family member, the care and empathy you have for you patients is the same. But I was ready to be more involved and accountable for the problem solving and clinical care aspects of the role.
“I was often hearing great feedback from my managers at work, encouraging me to complete my nursing degree, but it was my partner John who gave me the encouragement and support to make it happen. He has been the backbone of my journey to get here. He took care of everything so I could upskill and focus on my transition to registered nursing.
“John was raised in Deni and his family lived there, so when he first brought me to visit back in 2012, I fell in love with the town.
“I had by then travelled the world, and seen many things, but when I first arrived here it felt like that place where you find the comfort in taking your shoes off and walking on the soft grass. It felt like I was home.
“Over the years we kept visiting and I felt a profound attachment to the community there, the people are so friendly and accepting and they all pull together in a crisis, regardless of who you are and where you come from,” Michael said.
“As an AIN, EN and graduate RN, I have worked across a few metropolitan and regional settings including Wagga Base, Tumut and Deniliquin. I have found the culture at Murrumbidgee Local Health District to be extremely supportive and friendly.”
Last year, Michael completed his registered nursing degree and was delighted to successfully apply for his graduate placement at Deniliquin hospital.
“It has worked out well because we have family in Deniliquin and the community is amazing. Everyone embraces self-growth, professional development, and acceptance.
“We do things a little differently in Deni, and I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity to live and work in such a progressive and passionate community.
“I feel proud to put on my nursing uniform each day and go to work giving the very best of myself, to be accountable and to roll up my sleeves and make a real difference as a health care worker for the people in this regional town,” Michael said.
“Every day I am learning, I am asking more questions and pushing myself further. I have higher expectations of my capabilities and more confidence in myself as a nurse now.
“Deniliquin Hospital is a great place to learn, everything is at your hands here, and you will be able to take your skills and experience anywhere that life takes you.
“As for me, I am not going anywhere, my life and experience have brought me to Deni, where the grass really is greener, and it just feels like home.”
