Acknowledging Our Aged Care Nurses
On 12 May each year, nurses across the world are celebrated as part of International Nurses Day to acknowledge their contributions to the community. It’s an important day and one marked each year at The Salvation Army Aged Care with our teams across the country gathering for morning and afternoon teas.
This year, staff members in our residential aged care and Salvos Home Care teams began the celebrations by pausing for an acknowledgment of country and an opening prayer before speeches were given by management.
At Macquarie Lodge Aged Care Centre in Arncliffe, NSW, Major Bill Li shared a prayer with staff members and residents, who were in attendance as well. Acting Centre Manager, Kate Pineda, shared inspiring words with her team and all in attendance, including Aged Care Mission and Chaplaincy Manager, Major Cheryl Kinder, who attended the Centre from Territorial Headquarters.
In Goulburn, at Gill Waminda Aged Care Centre, Manager Alvin Padilla acknowledged his nursing team with a delicious spread of donuts and fruit and a specially-made thank-you banner. Weeroona Aged Care Centre staff members gathered together, too.
In Sydney, at The Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters (THQ), Head of Aged Care Angela Raguz shared a few words with members of the Executive, Finance, People and Culture, Recruitment, Residential Services, Salvos Home Care, Marketing and Communications teams before our nurse leaders shared stories of inspiring moments during their careers.
Fiona Sanders, General Manager – Retirement Living and Home Care, who started her career as a nurse in hospital settings, and Nicola Nolan, General Manager – Residential Services, spoke to those attending on the day while Samantha Jukes, General Manager – Care Quality and Compliance, Charlotte Milner, Executive Leader – RN, and Kathy Carter, Senior Manager – Clinical Learning and Practice, also shared a few words.
The event at THQ was opened in prayer by Major Cheryl Kinder and closed with applause before a selection of donuts and soft drinks were enjoyed by all. International Nurses Day marks the birthdate of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
