As a qualified Registered Nurse, I plan to contribute to improve Indigenous health outcomes play an important role in teaching patients education and providing health to the community through culturally appropriate care that is high quality, safe, patient centered and accessible in a range of settings.

With a career background in beauty therapy, in 2019, I decided to pursue my passion to study a Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University as a mature aged student. From day one I have gained the knowledge, skills and ethical understanding I need to become a competent and successful Registered Nurse. This will allow me to enter into a career where I am able to make a real difference within my community, I reside in and improve overall Indigenous health outcomes.

Born and raised in very remote New South Wales, I have seen firsthand how health services are undersized than their regional and metro counterparts and are important to the provision of integrated health services across the community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote and very remote areas are more likely to have higher rates of chronic conditions, potentially preventable hospitalisation, and lower overall health outcomes. This could be due to numerous factors, including living conditions, social isolation, socioeconomic status and distance from services.

Throughout my nursing journey, I aspire to be the best role model I can be. I want to show not only my children, but others in my community that tertiary education is achievable, and to never give up on their dreams and aspirations no matter what age they are.

I believe my own life experiences has helped me to understand the need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live empowered lives. I aim to continue to address the social determinants that important to help close the gap. This includes ensuring, that I provide adequate health services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. I intend to use person-centred approach which will allow the patient to be more involved and their care and make a clear and informed choice.

I have completed a couple of units of 3rd year, Bachelor of Nursing degree at Deakin University in Geelong.

Throughout this semester I have stayed positive and true to my studies, working through a difficult time. I am also currently undertaking an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing Cadetship in a rural hospital where I can learn and extend on my current skills and scope of practice.

Alongside of Cadetship I am currently a Aboriginal Support Officer for NSW Health, working with COVID-19 patients that are isolating and are in need of assistance and support in the community from various organisations. These extracurricular activities will help me gain valuable insight into the current pandemic and build valuable interviewing skills to better assist me moving forward preparing me for nursing and clinical skills, while helping our Indigenous peoples from the Hunter New England area.

I am still yet to commence placement for one of my second-year clinical units, which will be scheduled mid-February 2022.This semester I successfully completed 2x 3rd year nursing units + 2 x electives, currently. I am excited in completing my degree in Nursing this year 2022 so my focus is now on the couple of units that I have remaining.

I’d like to express my gratitude to the Australian Rotary Health and my sponsor Rotary Club of Botany Randwick for their continuous support this year. The scholarship’s financial assistance has relieved financial tensions amid a period of significant uncertainty for me. It has enabled me to acquire essential nursing equipment, as well as textbooks and accessories during the course of the year. I am extremely pleased for the opportunity to be chosen as a Rotary Health recipient in 2021.