Elton finds his calling caring for his community

A focus on caring for and informing his community has never been far from Nurse Graduate Elton Leung’s career choices.

From reporting the news to the delivery of health care, the practical elements of caring for one’s community has always been fundamentally important to the healthcare professional.

Elton, who began his first-year placement as a graduate nurse at Community and Oral Health (COH) this year, was once a journalist writing for the Financial News in Hong Kong.

“I always look for industries that need passionate people like nursing,” Elton said.

“I really enjoy seeing our patients discharged from our facility and are able to get back to their homes and communities.”

Since leaving journalism a few years ago, Elton pursued a nursing career by studying at Flinders University in South Australia.

“I enjoyed the practical side of placements within the aged care sector during my studies,” he said.

“Aged care or looking after the elderly was my first choice of a nursing career pathway.”

In early 2024, he joined Zillmere Transition Care Program as a registered nurse. Elton is one of more than a dozen registered nurses and enrolled nurses who started at COH bedded services at Zillmere, Brighton, Red Hill and Kippa Ring this year.

“Once I complete my first year, I have a goal of becoming a home care nurse in a service like Home Hospital,” Elton said.

Zillmere Transition Care Program is a bedded facility which supports older people who have been discharged from hospital who require additional low intensity therapy to improve general function or support to help with a decision on their long-term aged care options.

“It is important that people don’t be hesitant to try things,” he said. “If you are interested in something like nursing just go for it – but get a deep understanding and do your research.”

Community-based care is a vital part of Metro North Health’s ability to meet increasing patient demand on hospitals and expectations that health services are delivered closer to home.

Locally, COH operates up to 300 beds each day across Home Hospital, rehabilitation, transition care and specialist residential care services.