International Nurses Day: Meet Sanjeeb Lamsal

May 15, 2025

Ensuring residents feel valued is at the heart of nursing

From saving a life on his very first shift to offering quiet comfort during a resident’s final moments, Sanjeeb Lamsal embodies the profound impact nurses make every day.

Now Deputy Facility Manager at Southern Cross Care’s North Turramurra Aged Care home, Sanjeeb’s journey from Nepal to Australia has been driven by a single purpose: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Though he began studying medicine in Nepal, it was in nursing that he found his true calling - and is particularly proud on International Nurses Day.

“I moved to Australia and studied nursing and have never looked back, I have loved it ever since,” he beamed.

Today, he’s passionate about working in aged care, where every day brings both challenges and moments of deep connection.

One of those moments came on Sanjeeb’s very first shift as a nurse. Walking past a room, he noticed signs of cardiac arrest and quickly raised the alarm.

“The doctor later told me I’d saved his life. It was the proudest moment of my career - and it still motivates me to give my best every day.”

For Sanjeeb, the beauty of aged care lies in the relationships.

“Being there for someone, especially when they’re vulnerable, is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “A simple thank you or a smile can mean so much.”

“I’ll never forget the moment a resident looked at me and said, ‘Thank you for making me feel human’. At first, I didn’t fully understand what he meant,” he recalls. “But later, it hit me - our residents have lived full, independent lives.

“Coming into care can sometimes feel like losing part of that identity.

“Restoring a sense of dignity, making them feel seen, respected, and valued - that’s one of the most meaningful aspects of what we do.”

Though the work is emotional and demanding, Sanjeeb finds strength in his colleagues.

“We motivate each other, and that’s what gets me through even the tough days.”

To anyone considering a career in aged care, his message is simple:

Welcome! “You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll share so much joy with the residents - it’s an incredible feeling.”

This International Nurses Day, Sanjeeb will celebrate with his team, staff, and residents over donuts from a new local shop.

“It’s our way of honouring each other and this amazing profession. I am very lucky to be an aged care nurse.”