Thanks A Million campaign: Newly registered nurse brings joy to aged care facilities as lockdown hits

At just 21, Courtney Irvine was thrown in the deep end as a newly registered nurse, working in aged care facilities when the COVID-19 lockdown hit.

Courtney Irvine was a new registered nurse when COVID-19 hit and was re-deployed to work in nursing homes during the pandemic. Picture: David Clark

As a newly registered nurse when COVID-19 hit, Courtney Irvine was thrown into the front lines of the pandemic.

The 21-year-old was awaiting news on her first job placement when lockdown caused her to be deployed into community health.

The Brisbane nurse was assigned to work in aged care facilities and saw first-hand the effects of elderly residents isolated from their loved ones.

Courtney was nominated in the Thanks a Million campaign by her mother Amanda Irvine for her adaptability as a health care professional during the pandemic.

“Being 21 and showing such care shows that this next generation are amazing and we are blessed to have them,” Amanda said in her nomination.

“Thank you Courtney.”

Courtney Irvine was nominated in the Thanks a Million campaign by her mother Amanda Irvine. Picture: David Clark

Courtney said at first families could only visit elderly residents for two hours a day but when lockdown was implemented, residents she was looking after had to completely isolate away from their families.

“It was so tough for them and took a toll on their mental health for sure,” she said.

“Some went from receiving daily visits from family and friends to nothing at all; I saw families visiting through windows and over Zoom, which became the norm for a while.”

Courtney was able to test her newly acquired basic nursing skills but her role was extended during this unusual time to include checking on the mental health of residents as well as monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms with daily temperature checks.

While no residents tested positive to COVID-19 during the lockdown, Courtney said news of deaths in nursing homes in NSW and Victoria added to the stress of her job.

“It was very concerning to watch what was happening (in aged care facilities) down south and how quickly COVID-19 could spread once it got into a home,” she said.

“We were encouraged to get tested straight away if we showed even the mildest of symptoms, even if it was just a runny nose.

“We had to be very careful.”

Courtney added it was nice to see the return of family visits once regulations were eased.

“It’s a much nicer atmosphere since families have been allowed back to visit residents,” she said.

To nominate someone and say thanks, go to thanksamillion.net.au and they could receive a $200 Woolworths Gift Card. Terms and conditions apply.