The Port Macquarie Base Hospital registered nurse was a builder for 17 years when he decided that a life-changing career move was needed.

"In 2012 I had been a builder for 17 years and decided building was no longer my thing," said Mr Ross.

"I'd spent a lot of time chasing money off people and not a lot of time swinging a hammer.

"I decided it was a good option for my family to find something more stable.

"Being in the building industry was tough but enjoyable. I found that financially nursing was a better career for me."

Mr Ross embarked on an education campaign earning a Diploma of Nursing through TAFE and later graduating university as a registered nurse.

"I was working as an enrolled nurse in the emergency department here for almost six years," he said.

"I went to university for the first time in my life in 2015 and up skilled to become a registered nurse in November last year."

Racing against construction timelines is a thing of the past, however Mr Ross now uses that deadline pressure to save lives.

"We usually see motor vehicle accidents, cardiac arrests, acute respiratory failures or severe strokes for category one incidents," said Mr Ross.

"People are usually seen by the nurses first, who introduce themselves, make observations, write notes, get a medical history and identify any areas that are red flags of concern to be addressed quickly."

Mr Ross was driven to the career change by a life-long desire to help people when they were at their worst.

"I've always had an interest in health and have been involved in Surf Life Saving as a trainer at Port Macquarie Surf Club since 2005," he said.

"I felt that I was drawn to that first response situation, the nursing care and looking after people in the first phase of people being unwell.

"I wanted a career where I could help people and be that person to see them through."

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