I am a proud Yamatji woman, my mother’s country is in Western Australia near Carnavon (Gascoyne Region). I was born and raised in Mackay, have travelled to FNQ, and lived in remote communities as a child and worked as an enrolled nurse. I started my nursing journey as a student midwife, after losing my brother by suicide I decided to do my enrolled nursing to have a better understanding of mental health.

Finished my enrolled nursing and worked in aged care which I enjoyed and found that mental health affects all, my son attempted suicide, and this has made more determined to gain better understanding around this illness and to gain experience as a registered nurse. I love working with my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and living on the Sunshine Coast was able to work within the community and had clients with chronic disease.

My professional journey and also identifying as an Aboriginal woman I see first-hand the barriers that are faced within the health sector and how these barriers affect a person’s health journey. I made it my goal to pursue my registered nursing degree so I can expand my knowledge around chronic disease /mental health within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and how I can as a registered nurse help close the gap.

As an Aboriginal Yamatji woman, I am deeply connected to my community and the land. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing, with a passion for addressing the significant health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Through my work with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, I have witnessed first-hand the challenges they face in accessing quality healthcare, and I am committed to closing this gap.

In my first year of tertiary study, I focused on building the skills and knowledge necessary to provide culturally appropriate care and support for my community. As a member of the local health services team, I coordinate chronic disease management programs for Indigenous patients, helping to address not only their physical health needs but also their cultural and emotional well-being. I have seen the positive impact that a culturally aware approach to healthcare can have, and it motivates me to continue my studies and develop further expertise in this area.

Working in this capacity has also provided me with valuable insights into the importance of community involvement in health initiatives. The local community has welcomed my work, and together we are taking steps to improve healthcare access and outcomes. I firmly believe that by building trust and fostering partnerships between healthcare providers and Indigenous communities, we can work toward closing the health equity gap.

Over the past six months, my mental health placement and academic studies have been both challenging and rewarding. During my placement, I developed a strong interest in mental health nursing. Working alongside clinicians and engaging with consumers deepened my understanding of mental health care, trauma-informed practice, and the importance of culturally safe care, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This placement confirmed that mental health nursing is an area I am passionate about and would like to pursue further in my career.

One of the biggest highlights of the last six months has been recognising how close I am to graduating. Reaching the end of Year Two of my Bachelor of Nursing feels like a significant achievement, especially knowing how much effort, resilience, and commitment it has taken to get here. I am incredibly proud to say that I am nearing the completion of this year, as Year Two has been the most challenging stage of my studies so far.

The lows during this period have included trying to stay focused and motivated while managing personal challenges alongside academic and placement demands. Balancing study, placement, family responsibilities, and personal stress has been difficult at times, and there were moments when staying on track felt overwhelming. However, these challenges have strengthened my resilience and reinforced my determination to finish my degree.

Overall, the past six months have helped me grow both personally and professionally. Despite the difficulties, I have remained committed to my studies and goals. I am proud of how far I have come and motivated to push through the final stages of my degree, knowing that these experiences are shaping me into a stronger, more compassionate future nurse.