Humans of CUC

I went from nursing plants to nursing people, and I’ve never looked back

One day, I was sitting in a cafe in a career crisis. I was working in a plant nursery/landscaping department and did not find this purposeful. The Cafe Attendant and I engaged in a conversation about careers as he cleaned the coffee machine. He said, “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse, but I don’t think I can deal with body fluids.”

It was a candid comment that planted a seed in my mind. I thought to myself, “I could do that!”.

I investigated nursing as a career while working at Coober Pedy Hospital as a Service Assistant and at Umoona Aged Care as a personal carer for Indigenous males.  The moment I decided to be a Nurse was when I developed a therapeutic connection with a patient to support them through a difficult moment.

I obtained an Enrolled Nurse cadetship in Elliston SA, completing my Diploma in Nursing at Whyalla TAFE in 2019. I volunteered as an Ambulance Officer with SA Ambulance Service to support my clinical experience. After moving east in 2021, I commenced the Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Canberra in 2022. My experience practising as an Enrolled Nurse and Ambulance Officer was very helpful in supporting my university study.

At the age of 40, I have now completed my degree and am a Registered Nurse. I look forward to continued growth and learning in my profession. I sometimes joke that I went from nursing plants to nursing people! I still love gardening as a hobby!

#humansofcuc #youcandoittoo #inspiration