Graduation Day

Graduation Day
5th May 2000

Early in 1995 after expressing a desire to be a nurse I applied to become an Enrolled Nurse (Nurses aide). After two applications for this course and two knockbacks I was encouraged by a lot of people to go to University to study for my Bachelor of Nursing which would make me a Registered Nurse (RN).

So in 1997 I began my University career. Uni was very interesting and I enjoyed my first year immensely. Second year was very challenging. I won a $1000 scholarship which helped to get us a new computer and connect to the Internet. This helped a great deal with assignments and research. Third year was very hard and I was glad to finally complete it and pass all the exams.

I have gained a post-graduate position at John Hunter Children's Hospital and I will rotate through three of the four wards H1 (Children's Medical), J1 (Children's Surgical) and NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care). I have been there just on four months and I really love my job. Sometimes it is hard we see some pretty tragic stuff but otherwise it is a great place to work.

Graduation night was very emotional. We had to walk from our seats up to the stage. As our name was read out we then walked across the stage towards the Vice-chancellor and had to doff our cap to him. I was fighting back tears as I neared him and heard my kids cheering from the back of the auditorium "Yeah Mum!!". I had to remember to smile though as we were having our photo taken shaking the VC's hand. Afterwards we had lots of photos and cuddles. Our family went out for a meal together. I got some nice presents a beautiful silver nurse's watch from David and the kids, a cute elephant from my Mum and Dad and a plaque from David's Mum and Dad.

I would like to encourage anyone considering University education by saying that I failed my HSC (Higher School Certificate). This certificate and the exams that lead up to it are so stressful for young people and they are made to believe that if they don't pass that there is no hope for their future. This is just not true and many a career has been built from a failed HSC. Two people I know personally spring to mind one is a Qantas pilot now and the other a successful businessman.

As a young person I had no Academic aspirations. When I finally did decide to go to University all that was needed was a STAT (Special Tertiary Admissions Test). Another option is Open Foundation (a free course to ready Mature Aged students for University degrees). Of course, this applies to Australia but I am sure that Universities all over the world encourage students to attend. Another Godsend was HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) which means I was able to defer the payment of my fees until I started work.

I am now considering a postgraduate diploma in Midwifery and while it won't be easy I know that I can do it!!!!!

I am now halfway through my postgraduate studies in Midwifery it has been very challenging but also very rewarding as I have always wanted to be a midwife now the challenge will be to get the job I want at the end of the course and then my ultimate goal is to build a private birth centre on the Tomaree Peninsula any rich benefactors out there are welcome to contact me for information.

On the 4th of May 2002 I graduated with my Diploma of Midwifery. I have a six month transitional placement at The Maitland Hospital . I am really enjoying it as I am gaining some valuable experience in a variety of areas with a variety of different midwives and women with some complex pregnancies. I am always open to more study and will be considering the Masters in Midwifery over the next few years. In the meantime I want to consolidate my skills and learn as much as I can so that I might take up an apprenticeship with and independent midwife. Now more than ever I believe that if someone puts their mind to it they can achieve anything.

Education is a privilege we should not take for granted.