I grew up on a farm in a small regional town called Gundagai and moved to the Snowy Mountains when I was 10.   From there, I completed my secondary education at Monaro High School and received my higher school certificate.   I have just completed the final year of my degree of Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Wollongong Bega campus.

Nursing to me, is the start of a chapter of many more to come.   I see nursing as a challenging but rewarding career that is forever changing and adapting.   I am engaged in the endless number of opportunities it will open for me.  My end goal is to work in a rural hospital within the Emergency Department as a Registered Nurse with the opportunity to transition to a nurse practitioner role and travel to rural and remote Australia.

Throughout my nursing degree, I have had the opportunity to attend workplace experience and many regional hospitals.   From my workplace experiences I have been able to work within many different hospitals and with many other healthcare professionals.   For 2024, I have been lucky enough to have been offered a new graduate position at South East Regional Hospital within Bega; this opportunity will open numerous future career experiences and prospects.   I look forward to grow my knowledge and skill sets to help prepare me for my future as a rural registered nurse.

During 2023 I was fortunate enough to have two critical care placements through my university at South east Regional Hospital ( my current workplace for new grad).

ICU / HDU

My first placement in late March/ early April was in the intensive care/ high dependence unit at SERH.

During the 4 weeks I was here I was given countless opportunities to practice and perform specialised skills learnt in university within a controlled environment.  This placement aided  in developing my  focused assessment skills for clinically ill patients. I got the opportunity to work with skilled experienced nurses with some mentoring throughout my placement and final year of university. this environment was open to me as a student asking any questions I may have had and if the nurse was unsure, spending the time to find the answer either through searching the intranet to find policies/procedures or discussing with other nurses or doctors.

ED

My final placement of 5 weeks in August and September was in the emergency department at SERH.

This placement was the best placement for my study as it allowed me to work autonomously and build upon the basic skills I had already learnt throughout my nursing course.

From my first day, I had a patient load meaning a I was entirely responsible for my patients care needs with the supervision of the registered nurse I was paired with. At first, this was confronting and I doubted my ability but through doing it I learnt how to be proactive and built upon my time management skills.

I had endless opportunities on my placement and got to experience and see interesting procedures.

• Resuscitation of patients
• Bedside medical procedures -> chest drains
• Radiology
• Pathology
• Patient load
• Experience working with paediatric patients
• Recognising and looking after deteriorating patients

As I look back on my first 10 months as a new graduate, I am truly amazed at how far I have come. It feels like just yesterday that I was stepping into this new role, full of excitement and a bit of nervousness. Each day has brought its own challenges and triumphs, and I can honestly say no two days have been the same.

Working in mental health has been a transformative experience for me. I have had the chance to develop not just my clinical skills but also my personal resilience. Taking on the role of Team Leader was a big step for me. It taught me so much about the importance of communication and teamwork, and I have loved the opportunity to support my colleagues while learning from them too. Transitioning to the High Dependency Unit was another eye opening experience, as I worked closely with some very vulnerable consumers.

One of the biggest changes I have noticed in myself is my confidence in handling difficult situations. My de-escalation skills have improved significantly, especially in high-stress moments like code black incidents. Administering IM medications in those scenarios has really challenged me, but it is also been rewarding to know that I can make a difference when it matters most.

I am thrilled to share that I have been offered a permanent position in the mental health ward next year. It feels great to know that I will have the chance to continue growing in a familiar environment.

I am also grateful for the scholarship I received, which has made it possible for me to pursue postgraduate studies while completing my new graduate year. I am excited to take on a Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Services and a Certificate in Domestic Violence Screening, and I am already thinking about starting my Master’s degree in Nursing. These studies are so important to me, not just for my career but because they allow me to dive deeper into areas I am passionate about.

Reflecting on this past year, I feel a sense of gratitude for the experiences I have had and the growth I have achieved. I can not wait to see what the future holds!