Shiva Nepalprajapati has the best of both worlds – a career she loves in a country she’s proud to call home.
Shiva, who hails from Kathmandu, studied a Bachelor of Nursing in Nepal before spreading her wings and moving to Australia at the age of 21.
She worked as a Personal Care Worker in aged care while completing her Bachelor of Nursing in order to get her Australian registration – a career path many have followed.
Ten years later at the age of 35, Shiva joined Uniting AgeWell Manor Lakes Community as Senior Care Manager – a role she absolutely loves.
The mother-of-two leaves work each day with a warm glow knowing she has been able to make a positive difference in the lives of older people.
Shiva believes when it comes to nursing, working in aged care ticks all the boxes. “I find it exciting that aged care is changing. There are new standards and new opportunities to learn and grow,” Shiva says. “I want to study further to develop skills that I lack and to progress professionally.”
She also enjoys the holistic care that working with older people in residential aged care affords.
“In a hospital setting, patients are admitted and discharged when they are well. Here we are able to manage the ongoing, holistic care of the residents. We also get to know them, not just as patients but as people, and to establish a good relationship with them. Do you know how special that is?”
Shiva also loves where she works. “The atmosphere here at Manor Lakes is very supportive,” she says. “They encourage professional development and are very proactive in managing residents’ cares and concerns. RSM Louise Harvey is also particularly good at encouraging staff to grow and flourish. She brings out the best in all of us.”
On the home front, Shiva lives in Tarniet with her husband, who is a chef who is also originally from Nepal. They have two children. They are Hindu and encourages her children to learn about the Nepalese culture.
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