Barbara always dreamed of being a nurse and helping other people. Having disabilities has meant that she requires some personal assistance before she can start to help others.
At the age of 17, Barbara underwent brain surgery which resulted in memory loss, the onset of an anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. These disabilities have been a major barrier in allowing Barbara to realise her dream.
Disability employment agency NOVA and an open minded employer have helped to make this dream a reality. Barbara works as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) at an aged care facility. Here her main duties involve maintaining the personal hygiene, providing assistance with meals and drinks and monitoring the basic vital signs of the patients. She is also responsible for ensuring that every resident is treated with the utmost respect.
Barbara is currently undergoing her traineeship as an AIN. Her issue with memory loss affects her ability to retain information. The employer has taken this in to account and has allowed her to complete her traineeship over an extended period of time. Lists reminding Barbara of her daily duties are another way that the employer has been able to accommodate her issue of memory loss.
Part of Barbara’s anxiety issue is that she is socially phobic. This impacts on her ability to travel to and from work by busy public transport as well exacerbating her anxiety when working with many different people. These issues have been easily overcome by allowing Barbara to work shifts which do not require her to travel during peak times as well as maintaining her permanently in one work team rather than rotating her within different teams.
Currently, an employment consultant is present with Barbara throughout the day. Barbara can often forget what to do next and requires assistance and direction during the day. This support will be faded out over time as she settles into the role and shows competency at using other memory cues.
The aged care facility is really pleased to have found such a committed, hard worker who works so diligently to maintain the dignity of the elderly people within the facility. Barbara is ecstatic to have been given a chance and to finally be doing what she always wanted to do which was to be able to help others.
More information?