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.

Looking back over the last six months of my Bachelor of Nursing, I can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding yet challenging periods of my life. As I approach the completion of my degree, I feel a great sense of pride in how far I have come, both personally and professionally.

One of the biggest highlights during this time was achieving a lifelong goal of purchasing my first home with my partner. This was a significant milestone and represents the hard work and sacrifices we have both made over many years. Another achievement that I am particularly proud of was passing my medication calculation examination on my first attempt. This gave me greater confidence in my clinical knowledge and reinforced the importance of safe medication administration as I prepare to transition into practice as a Registered Nurse.

My Professional Experience Placement (PEP 4) at Biloela Hospital was another highlight of the past six months. The placement provided valuable learning experiences in a rural healthcare setting and allowed me to further develop my communication, clinical assessment, and critical thinking skills. Throughout my nursing degree, I have had the opportunity to undertake placements in different healthcare settings across Queensland. Each placement has broadened my understanding of nursing practice and reinforced my passion for rural and regional healthcare. I look forward to returning to these communities in the future as a Registered Nurse and contributing to the delivery of safe, compassionate, and culturally appropriate care.

Despite challenges, I have learnt the importance of resilience, self-care, and drawing on the support of those around me. My partner has been my greatest source of strength, and together we have also met some wonderful people in our new community who I know will become lifelong friends. Their kindness and support reminded me that even during difficult times, there are positive connections that can make a significant difference.

As I reflect on the final six months of my nursing degree, I recognise that the journey has not always been easy. There were moments when I doubted myself and questioned whether I could continue. However, overcoming these personal and academic challenges has strengthened my determination and reinforced why I chose nursing as a career. I have grown not only as a student nurse but also as a person. I now feel more confident, resilient, and prepared to transition into professional practice. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful that I persevered, and I am proud of everything I have achieved. I am excited to complete my degree and begin my career as a Registered Nurse, knowing that every challenge has helped shape the nurse I am becoming.