Every so often we’ll have an in-depth chat with one of our staff members, so you can get to know them a little better. This month we get to know Registered Nurse, Ruth Hayne
How long have you worked at Finley?
I commenced at the end November 2022.
What interested you about working in Aged Care?
I have spent my whole life in aged care – my parents owned nursing homes for many years and even as a young child I would help the staff feed the residents and bring my animals in to show them.
What is your role at Finley Regional Care? What does it involve?
I am firstly a registered nurse with experience in adult education and compliance. My role at FRC is ensuring the organisation is compliant with all regulations and legislations. I also do staff training and development and assist the organisation in delivering high quality client care and services.
What are your qualifications?
- Registered Nurse
- Certificate IV in Workplace Trainer Assessor
- Diploma of Community Services
- Diploma in Leadership and Management
- Diploma in Quality Auditing (Aged Care)
- End of Life Doula
What do you like most about working here?
The residents and hearing their life stories.
If you had to describe Finley Regional Care in four words, what would you say?
Friendly, caring, homelike, comfortable.
What has exceeded your expectations or surprised you the most since coming here?
The dedication and compassion the staff have towards their residents.
Tell us one thing about you people might not know.
I can speak four languages.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love long lunches on the weekends with friends.
What’s your favourite quote or saying?
Live life to the fullest while you can and make sure you keep dancing.
What three traits define you?
Generous, supportive and passionate.
How do you define success?
Wisdom, work-life balance and managing challenges.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Mary Poppins.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
To express myself through art.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Not tell anyone, buy a bottle of very expensive French champagne and contemplate my future.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Happily retired looking after my grandbabies.
Favourite movie?
Shawshank Redemption.
Are you messy or organised?
I think a bit of both. I do have OCD occasionally.
Best vacation you’ve been on?
Touring Europe for a month – I especially loved Ireland.
Choose your Mr Men/Little Miss, to describe your work personality?
A lot of people would say “Little Miss Bossy”.
Do you have an office nickname? What is it?
Too early to tell at FRC but my nickname in my last position was” The Rock”.
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work?
When I was working in China trying to learn the language and pronounced a word incorrectly, which meant something completely the opposite.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Definitely Meryl Streep.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
The Minister for Health and Ageing.
If you could meet anyone in the world (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
The Dalai Lama – to learn how to develop compassion and create positive karma.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
My new Dachshund puppy who is so very loved and spoilt.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
Singapore Chilli Crab and a bottle of Cristal Champagne.
If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?
Water, a chef and a very thick book to read.
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
Small steps.
If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
A very expensive piece of artwork.
Least favourite food?
Kale and eggplant.
Motto or personal mantra?
Not my circus, not my monkeys, but I definitely know the clowns.
Top two life highlights?
Other than my children it would be having a career that has taken me around the world.
What advice would you give to recent new staff?
Never stop learning, knowledge is power.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
Don’t go like a bull at the gate when you start a new job. Always ask questions. Put a smile on your face every day.
What are your three most overused words/phrases?
Whatever. A no brainer. Synergise.
What did you want to be when growing up?
A nurse or a pilot.
What do you always want to try but never did?
Sailing.
What do you like to do on your days off?
I love country drives and finding unique pubs for lunch.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Depends on the day but always busy and communicating with staff and residents to ensure quality of care is delivered.
What is an ability you wish you had?
To be able to sing.
What is on your bucket list?
At my age I have ticked off a lot of thing on my bucket list BUT I can see myself swanning around the Greek Islands on a luxury yacht, island hopping.
What is the first concert you attended?
Cat Stephens in Sydney 1972.
What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Cancer.
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Don’t sweat the small things.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Good homemade Italian food and fresh seafood.
What is one thing you can’t live without?
Family and friends.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Camels testicles at a kubutz in Israel.
What are the two worst things you did as a kid?
Ran away from home when I was five (only went to the end of the street) and I lied to my mother (it only happened once).
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who feed their pets off their plates at the table.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
My amazing mother and father and the childhood they gave me.
What is your favourite number and why?
22, it keeps cropping up in my everyday life.
What is your favourite sport?
Swimming.
What is your greatest fear?
I am very claustrophobic, so confined spaces.
What is your hidden talent?
Tap dancing.
What is your personal philosophy?
What gives me a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.
What one food do you wish had zero calories?
Cheese.
What phobias do you have?
Snakes and spiders.
What places have you lived in?
Malaysia/Penang , Saudi Arabia and China.
What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
The Sound of Music, have watched it soooo many times.
What was your favourite book, toy, or outfit as a child?
Book – Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie and I still have it. Toy – A walking doll. Outfit – Overalls, every childhood phot shows me wearing them.
What would people never guess you do in your role?
Cry when a resident passes away.
What would you like to be famous for?
Healing.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Love and respect yourself no matter what other people say.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
Croatia, the seafood and wine is amazing.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Greece.
Which one would you want most – flying cars, robot housekeepers, or moon cities?
Robot housekeepers, of course.
You’re happiest when?
Surrounded by my family and friends.
What are your hopes for our industry?
That all staff are recognised for the hard work they do on a daily basis and that the industry is recognised as a professional body.
