Introduce yourself and tell us what you do for a job and your pathway to get there.
I currently work as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department of a hospital. Having worked in various part-time jobs since I was 12 and all throughout high school, I had no intention to study when I left school unless it was something I knew was worth the time and cost of studying.
I continued working my supermarket job when I finished school, to keep earning some cash while I figured out my why.
There were various jobs after that, followed by a period of unemployment, and then I was offered a position as a dental assistant in a local clinic in my small home town.
I took the opportunity, learnt a lot on the job and progressed quickly. I was sent on a course in assisting intravenous sedation, which cemented my interest in health and medicine and made me realise I was ready to take the leap into study.
By this stage, I had been out of school a couple of years. I had to complete some bridging papers in science as I had dropped it in school. Once those were complete, I enrolled and was accepted to begin a Bachelor of Nursing Degree.
In the four short years since becoming qualified, I’ve worked in a big city and small rural Emergency Department. I’ve volunteered in a Nepalese ED and village health clinic, where I lived with a local family.
I’ve taken time off work to solely travel without work in mind, and I’ve since returned to work and commenced further postgraduate study.
What brings you joy in your job?
Nursing is such a versatile profession and is a very “feel good” job despite some of the hard days and moments. The types of careers can range from hospitals to clinics, research nursing, cruise ships or even yacht nursing.
Making a difference in people’s lives never comes without challenge, but helping people during some of their most vulnerable moments can be incredibly rewarding.
Did you face any challenges to get where you are now?
Absolutely. I struggled initially with the thought of having to study for three years and not earn income while doing this. It was a huge sacrifice of time and money, but I figured the time would pass whether I chose to study or not!
It was very hard in the beginning stages of my first job – going from student life to an actual nurse on the floor in a very busy Emergency Department with full responsibility was terrifying. I wondered whether I had chosen the right career.
Those feelings all eased and passed with time and I still to this day love what I’ve achieved so far and get excited about where else nursing can take me!
Why did you volunteer to be an Inspiring the Future role model?
I remember very clearly being at school, when everyone starts asking those questions of “what are you going to do when you leave school?”, and having no answer to it other than I didn’t know. It can be overwhelming and daunting not having it figured out.
I hoped that by volunteering I would help other young people see that I also didn’t have it all figured out when I was at school, but it all worked out in the end. Sometimes the best things take time.
I just want the youth to know they are not alone in their uncertainty and by saying yes to all sorts of opportunities, it can lead to a very fulfilling career and life when the time is right!
What was the most memorable thing about your Inspiring the Future event experience?
Watching the kids’ faces light up when I talk about volunteering overseas. I think it just reignites the possibilities that are out there and reminds kids that life is just beginning, with so many unopened doors and potential.