Lismore Nursing Life :: A Day in the Life of Malena Lindell

Malena Lindell
Nurse Educator
Lismore Base Hospital
Place of Origin: Stockholm, Sweden

I first came to Australia as a backpacker in 1984, and I still remember my first impression of this area, which was that it is very relaxed, and very beautiful, with lots to do and see. I came back in 1990 and finally in 1996 I made the move from Stockholm to Sydney.

I worked there as a nurse in surgical wards in big city hospitals. Nursing in Australia is great if you want to get ahead in your career, because there are plenty of people who will support and encourage you. Now I am one of those people as I have moved into Nursing Education. I am very grateful for the way I was supported to learn and grow in my nursing career.

After some time I grew tired of the big city and I wanted to return to the area that I had fallen in love with all those years ago. It was a great move. Lismore is so safe, and clean, and the cost of living is so much cheaper, that you can afford to buy the best with what you save on city living. You can also buy really amazing fresh organic fruit and vegetables all year round.

My day starts with a cup of coffee sitting out on my deck listening to the birds. When I go back to Sweden to visit, I really miss the birdsong. I have a very short drive to the Lismore Base Hospital where I enjoy interesting and varied work.

I like having the capacity to find a little motivation in a person and nurture them as they learn and grow. This hospital is really friendly and I find the staff much more warm and supportive than in city hospitals.

I usually lunch with friends at the hospital coffee shop, and after work I go to Yogalates class, potter in my vegie garden or go out with friends to listen to great live music in one of the local pubs. One of the best things about living here is that the most wondeful beaches are just twenty minutes away and the water is warm for many months of the year.

This is an amazing place to live because the people are so open minded, and there are so many things on offer. You can party yourself sick if that's your thing, or equally you can enjoy the organic healthy natural lifestyles, it's all here.

You should come here to Lismore Base Hospital where you will have excellent working conditions with a reasonable workload, and you can live in a place where you can have a great personal life with heaps of choices and variety.