Sue Arber is living as her authentic self.
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After a working life of more than 30 years in the NSW health system that saw her rise from a registered nurse to Manning Hospital nursing unit manager of oncology and palliative care before reaching the top position of director of nursing, Sue has made a dramatic switch in careers, and she's never been happier.
Sue now has a business in Forster providing cosmetic injectables.
It's not something she ever dreamt of or thought she'd be doing, but a chance meeting with someone who suggested she do cosmetic injectables piqued her interest.
"The more I researched it and the more I went into it the more I realised that perhaps I could do this," Sue said.
As much as she loved being a nurse, being the director of nursing was a "huge job" and required a lot of hours, and it was taking her away from what made her passionate about nursing - her patients.
"If I'm honest, I wasn't my authentic self," Sue said.
"I became someone that I didn't necessarily like.
"You have to be very corporate.
"It's very difficult to maintain that corporate look and feel and speech.
"And, it wasn't me.
"I felt like I was talking a language that I didn't necessarily believe in."
I wasn't my authentic self, if I'm honest with myself.
- Sue Arber
She also found it difficult to maintain a work/life balance, as the job required long hours, and on call hours.
Sue was a single mum and as much as the job required commitment, so did her children.
So Sue decided she needed to pursue something different.
"I realised I really needed to get back to grassroots and be a clinical nurse that I loved most of all."
The position of director of nursing gave Sue a solid skill set to set herself up in small business.
She figured if she could do big business and big budgets, she could do small ones also.
What Sue relishes about her new job is the flexibility it gives her - she can work her hours around what suits her clients - if they need to come before or after work, Sue can accommodate them.
And, she makes people feel good about themselves.
"With health care, you're always dealing with sickness, and I've done that all my life.
"So now I'm dealing with wellness.
"People feel fantastic.
"People feel good about themselves. I
"'m building confidence, I'm building self esteem.
"I work from a holistic point of view, so I'm not just looking at their face and talking to them about their face.
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Sue is at pains to say that nobody leaves her clinic "looking like a Kardashian".
If that's the look someone wants, Sue will refer them to someone more appropriate to their needs.
"Our demographic here is the older woman.
"I think me being an older women can make women and men feel more comfortable.
"My business is really about making ageing a little bit more comfortable."
For more information on Sue's business go to www.coastalcosmeticinjectables.com.au.
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