Unplanned career shift pays off for Manpreet

When Manpreet Kaur moved to WA as an international student six years ago, her plans to enter the world of biotechnology took a detour after starting a role with Juniper St David’s where she was so impressed with the nursing staff, she swapped degrees and pursued nursing instead.

Originally from India, Manpreet arrived in Australia in 2019 and was more than a year into her biotechnology degree when she had a shift in thinking.

After landing a casual kitchenhand role at St David’s in Mt Lawley the following year, the appeal of the busy pace of working in aged care prompted her to move into nursing.

“It was a big decision (to change studies), as I had already spent a lot of money,” she said.

“But, when I saw a nurse responding to a resident whose blood pressure was getting very low, and how calmly she worked with the resident to help them, I was impressed.

“The way the nurse handled that situation really motivated me.”

Before long, Manpreet withdrew from UWA and moved to nursing studies at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup.

For the next two years, she divided her time working as a kitchenhand, or as a carer, with Juniper St David’s while completing four units each semester.

The 30-year-old Multi-Skilled Carer said her role as a kitchenhand provided her with a good grounding of how everything fits together in aged care.

“I’m happy that my manager had great faith in me to give me the opportunities I have had,” she said.

Manpreet completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2023, including some time out to welcome her first child, and returned to her Registered Nurse role in mid-2024.

Delighted to be part of the team at St David’s, Manpreet said her decision to change career paths was a fulfilling one.

“I enjoy it here, really enjoy it – I like the busy pace,” she said. “I don’t want to sit down; I want to do things,” she said.

“It’s the best, the residents, the staff, the management, everything.”

Manpreet has another busy role on the go, looking after her now 14-month-old son Anshveer, and simply enjoys spending time at home with the youngster and her husband.

Aside from family time, Manpreet loves her Bhangra cultural dance at family get-togethers and reading books on Punjabi literature.

“I feel I was more of an introverted person before working in aged care, but I’m now more outgoing and it’s helped my own personal development,” she said.