After my mother passed away, I turned my full attention towards aged care, becoming an assistant in nursing.

I wanted to help older Australians, and by help, I meant all the way. I knew there had to be a way to make a difference not just to individual people’s lives, but also to fix things and make the latter stage of life more dignified and supportive.

Fast forward 10 years and wow … what a difference we truly 
have made.

In 2017, I was asked to join other union members to stand up and fight for our rights, and the rights of all affected by the appalling conditions in aged care.

We were in crisis. We were a small handful of very passionate and very angry nurses who truly wanted to make a difference. Our targets were in line with what the Royal Commission handed down, and make a difference we did!

So far aged care nurses have won:

• labour agreements
• an RN 24/7
• pay increases
• care minutes and a voice 
for workers.

These are incredible wins and will make a real difference in the lives of aged care nurses and the residents we care for! But there is so much more that still needs to change.

We all need to stand together and fight for our basic human rights and for the rights of those we care for: the residents – people whose 
voice is often forgotten, neglected and overlooked.

Janine Quinn, AiN