Starting A PSW Career at 56 – Ning’s Passionate Story of Giving Back

At Anderson College, we are constantly amazed by the courage of our students, faculty, and staff. In December 2021 we ran a “My Courageous Moment” story-gathering campaign to celebrate our students, their strength, the moments that have defined their lives and the people who have motivated them to overcome and succeed.

In sharing our stories, we realize we are not alone and are often inspired to recognize, or to find, our own extraordinary courage. We hope the following story moves you, as it has our Anderson family.

People can feel young at any age. On my 56th birthday, I felt exceptionally young by becoming a student again, joining Anderson College’s Personal Support Worker program.

I shared the news and my new identity with several friends. They were surprised and showed mixed emotions and their varied options: “It is such a heart-warming job,” “Many people find it difficult to persist and stay in the job,” “How do you handle this tough work?”, “Why do you want this when you already have a career and an easy life?”.

“As a 56-year-old mother, I am not scared of getting old. I love learning and staying active physically and mentally.”

My interest and motivation for senior care is inspired by my loving parents. I have visited them every year since immigrating to Canada 21 years ago. We’ve shared countless sweet moments of laughter and love. However, the last several years have challenged my mother as she’s faced critical health issues. She’s suffered plenty of physical pain but never complains. It pains me that I haven’t been able to visit them due to the ongoing pandemic.

In my professional life, I practiced as an insurance agent for 21 years. I had first-hand experience dealing with families going through illness and loss. Our family enjoys a quiet, middle-class life, as we raise our teenage son. I always aspired to find ways to get involved in senior care or related activities. I looked into volunteering as well. I then learned that one pathway to fulfilling my goal was by taking the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program at Anderson. I encouraged myself to study and become a certified PSW to help others. I turned the regret of being unable to visit my parents into an opportunity to learn and grow. When I acquire the proper skills, I will be able to care for seniors as a professional. I believe this experience will bring me closer to my parents when we reunite again. Getting old does not always mean aging, and aging does not necessarily have to be painful or faced alone.

“I hope that more people will get involved in the PSW industry and care for others, and I also hope that I can bring more smiles and joy to seniors.”

As a 56-year-old mother, I am not scared of getting old. I love learning and staying active physically and mentally. Becoming a student again keeps me busy and young at heart. No one can guarantee that they will be wealthy. Everyone will surely grow old. I hope that more people will get involved in the PSW industry and care for others, and I also hope that I can bring more smiles and joy to seniors.

No one can guarantee that they will be wealthy, and everyone will surely grow old! Learning at any age helps to keep you young.

Ning D.

If you have a passion for people and want to make a difference, but are still exploring whether this career may be for you, take our “Personal Support Worker Career Discovery Quiz”.

To learn more about our Personal Support Worker programs or our other 30+ leading-edge programs to help you take life to the next level of success, book a virtual appointment with our Admissions team today!