A profession known for its sometimes hard and difficult encounters, Mincy says she isn’t shy to seeing some things she’d rather forget but says it is a role that requires lots of compassionate care for other people and their lives.
“Nursing is a really challenging profession, but moreover, it’s a really rewarding profession too,” she says.
The biggest challenge she has faced since coming to Australia, has been adapting to the healthcare system.
“Learning a new healthcare system and adapting to the different processes and way of working is different from India and Ireland,” she says.
“Every country has its own approaches, so there was definitely a learning curve in the beginning, but I have been very fortunate that I work with supportive teams.”
Seeing support and faith in her abilities from the very start has allowed Mincy to blossom and become the best nurse her patients require her to be.
Our Nurses. Our Future.
Empowered Nurses Save Lives.
On May 12, the world celebrated International Nurses Day. Within Young’s Mercy Place Street Joseph’s facility, nurse Mincy Mathew celebrated her 10th year working within her chosen profession.
Since graduating from nursing in 2016, Mincy has followed her heart, letting it take her wherever she is needed most.
Mincy, who graduated from nursing in India, moved to Ireland in 2021 after working within the field for several years.
Working as a nurse in Ireland for four years, she says she moved to Australia in May 2025, and has recently celebrated one year of work within the country.
Her move, she says, was due to Australia’s reputation of good healthcare standards and living conditions.
“It’s a nice regional area and it’s been a really positive experience in Young,” she says.
“Young has such a strong sense of community, and working in [the] regional area is helping me to build close connections with the residents and their families.
“The community feels very personal, and I have enjoyed the slower pace and the friendliness of the people in Young.
“Being able to contribute to the community means a lot to me.”
Moving to Australia had always been a dream for Mincy, due to its status as one of the best countries for nurses, and had the ability to increase her career opportunities. This is particularly apparent in regional areas, such as Young.
“I moved to Australia looking for both professional growth and my personal life experience,” she says.
“Australia is a multicultural country and they respect their people. The weather is amazing here [too].”
Mincy moved to Australia with her husband and their two-year-old daughter. To say she passionate about helping others is an understatement.
“My favourite part about working in aged care is building relationships with the residents,” she says.
“It’s not like the hospital, [the residents] are not coming or going.
“They’re spending the rest of their lives in the nursing home, so it’s really good to know about the people, their life stories and their family experiences.
“Sometimes it’s the small thing that make the biggest impact or can [cause] the biggest impact of make someone smile.”
According to Mincy, providing services as small as lending an ear can make residents within a nursing care facility feel heard and understood. She says it is her role to ensure she is helping them feel comfortable and happy.
For students who are now embarking on their own journey to become a nurse, Mincy says it’s the best job in the world.
“It’s a really rewarding profession,” she says.
“If you choose nursing, you are choosing the best job in the world, and because nurses do so much every day – more than just providing medical care – they are [also] supporting people emotionally and advocating for them.
“We are acting as a mediator between the patient and community, and often become an important part of their lives during their vulnerable moments.”
A nurse, she says, plays one of the most pivotal roles in a person’s life. From their first breath to their last, Mincy says they are always there, providing support, advocacy and strength in times of need.
As International Nurses Day passes once more, Mincy says it is always nice to recognise the dedication and compassion of nurses across the world whose hard work for the community and its people goes often unnoticed.
“This is the best day to celebrate their hard work,” she says.
“It can be challenging at times, but it’s also a rewarding profession.
“International Nurses Day is a moment to celebrate all the amazing nurses and healthcare workers around the world.”
According to the NSW Government, International Nurses Day is a time to acknowledge the “compassion, professionalism, and round-the-clock commitment of nurses caring for patients in the public health system”.
“As the single largest workforce group in NSW Health, nurses are there at every turn, making a real difference to the care and experience of patients and their families and carers.
“We celebrate and appreciate nurses, and the important role of nursing.”
This year’s International Nurses Day follows the theme of: Our Nurses. Our Future.
Empowered Nurses Save Lives.
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