Nursing in Tasmania fills her cup

Registered Nurse Sagun Hamal says caring for older people helps fill the void she feels being separated from her friends and family in Nepal.

Sagun has been at Uniting AgeWell Sorell Community Ningana for over a year now and says she opted to work in aged care because of the ongoing holistic care she can provide to residents.

“In a hospital setting, patients come in and get discharged once they are better – you don’t have time to get to know them,” Sagun explains. “When you are away from everyone that you know and love, it is important to be able to have the opportunity to establish ongoing relationships with residents.”

Sagun is also delighted that Nepali is the fastest growing migrant community in Australia and Nepali is the second most widely spoken language in Tasmania.

In fact, with half the staff from international backgrounds – mostly from Nepal and India - the Residential Services Manager Melitta Baker is learning to speak Nepali.

“It’s wonderful,” says Sagun, who is a devout Hindu. “Not only does Uniting AgeWell feel like a second family to me, but I also have connections with the Nepali community here.”

Sagun moved to Australia in 2018 to study nursing. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney, and worked in a Catholic aged care facility there before moving to Tasmania to take up the role with Uniting AgeWell.

“Tasmania is very beautiful,” she says. “It’s wonderful to be able to explore the countryside and go hiking, although the weather can get cold.”

Sagun is also delighted her brother has now also moved to Australia, and says she’s thrilled to be living her dream of working in the ‘Lucky Country’.

In her spare time she loves dancing, travelling, reading and spending time with friends.