Will Reid’s previous jobs have ranged from truck driver to mine worker and construction labourer.
Now, he is switching the hard hat for scrubs as he starts a new career as a registered nurse.
New data trends suggest Mr Reid is not the only one finding a calling in health care.
The newly graduated Cairns Hospital worker said the main catalyst for getting off the tools was seeing the need for nurses during the COVID pandemic.
“We were hearing that all these nurses were putting in a massive effort. They were really seen as unsung heroes,” he said.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to level up my career and give back to the community.”
One of Nurse Reid’s diverse roles before he retrained included driving trucks. (Supplied: Will Reid)
Not-so-easy rider
The other catalyst for change was breaking his back while racing motorcycles in 2019.
“I couldn’t do real heavy lifting anymore,” he said.
But retraining in a field so different from his other careers has not been an easy ride.
The father of one struggled through the financial pitfalls as a mature-aged student.
But with a lot of help from friends and family, and some nurses in his family mentoring him, he found his way through.
“My degree is a shared achievement for everyone that’s come together for me,” he said.
Will Reid’s love of motorcycles unfortunately led to a broken back in 2019. (Supplied: Will Reid)
The vibe of the thing
Mr Reid said his decades in the workforce taught him a strong work ethic that he now put into his studies.
While the hospital ward and work sites were very different places, he said the camaraderie felt familiar.
“Having a good vibe around is really important,” he said.
Will is one of a record 226 nurses and midwives starting graduate programs with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service this month.
Kiara Dundas and Will Reid are following a trend of moving into health jobs. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
Filling buckets
Australian Bureau of Statistics job mobility data in the year to February 2024 showed health care and social assistance were the two top industries for those looking for a new start — by either entering, or leaving, the fields.
The healthcare and social assistance industry was the largest employer in the country, and had the largest increase in “filled jobs” over the past 30 years.
This increase was attributed to the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Australia’s aging population.
Marcin Skladaniec started his health career working as a clinic groundskeeper. (Supplied: Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service)
Sweeping to stitching
Far north Queensland doctor Marcin “Chin” Skladaniec was working as a health clinic groundskeeper and cleaner in the remote Lockhart River and wanted to be a nurse, until a friend encouraged him to retrain as a medical doctor at 39.
“I realised that rural communities are very underserviced in terms of healthcare,” he said.
After moving to metropolitan Perth to study, and having his doubts, an 18-month placement in Kununurra changed his outlook and led to new opportunities.
“I pursued rural medicine after that, and I even went to work for the Flying Doctors,” he said.
“I really enjoyed everything I did.”
The 45-year-old, now a doctor in Tully, said his career advice was to make the change before regret set in.
“When you when you are 17 or 18, I don’t think you can choose your career. It should be illegal,” he said.
Registered midwife Kiara Dundas retrained after starting work as a nurse. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
Same, same, but different
Kiara Dundas originally trained as a nurse, but has this month started work as a registered midwife after having her own child and retraining.
“It was that time of my life thinking of having my own children and I wanted to learn more about supporting women through their own pregnancy journey,” she said.
“There’s something special about when that baby is born and taking its first breath. Being there for that moment and helping women and families through a vulnerable time. It’s so rewarding.”
Her career goal is to work in midwifery group practice after she earns her stripes.
“We need as many midwives as we can get,” she said.
Nataliya Ilyushina says job satisfaction is key. (Supplied: RMIT)
Altruism the key
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology economist and research fellow Nataliya Ilyushina said those more likely to change career were extroverts, people aged about 30, and people with fewer children.
“But job satisfaction is one of the greatest drivers,” Dr Ilyushina said.
“People are a lot happier giving up their salary for that feeling of belonging and feeling heard.”
She said a common pivot was from finance and hospitality to nursing and aged care working.
“Nursing jobs are quite flexible — there’s lots of casual opportunities,” she said.
“But also because of the feeling of giving back, of belonging, and self-actualisation.”
From mine sites to nursing, Will Reid has made some big changes in his life. (Supplied: Will Reid)
Have a plan
Dr Ilyushina said men entering traditionally female-oriented jobs, such as nursing, should also be celebrated.
“Imagine, in the 1950s a man becoming a nurse. He would have been laughed at. But now, no-one thinks twice that it’s a man or a woman,” she said.
“It’s societal accountability: a signal that we’re reaching the milestones.”
The ABS data indicated the share of male registered nurses had slightly increased from 11 per cent in 2016, to 12 per cent in 2021.
Dr Ilyushin’s advice was to always have a career change plan up your sleeve.
“Even if you don’t change, the job will change,” she said.
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