Certificate IV in Nursing 
Bendigo TAFE Student of the Year 2009

My father has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for over 32 years and I have been active in his care. I worked in an African school for disabled children in 2005 and 2007, when in 2007 I got a call to come home as my mother was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. l became her primary carer and weekend carer for my father. My mother passed away soon after her diagnosis, but I continue supporting my father.

I had worked as a qualified chef for over 15 years, but I knew that nursing was definitely the career for me, although I was extremely nervous returning to studies. The course was extremely challenging but I have taken it step by step. I had many classmates and we encouraged each other to be strong, that we could do it! I was very fortunate to have fantastic and caring teachers at Bendigo TAFE who always made time to talk to me. No question too stupid.

I am currently enrolled as a second year Division 1 nursing student at La Trobe University Bendigo whilst working as a Division 2 nurse at the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service in the nursing home.

I plan to successfully finish my Division 1 nursing and do my graduate year at the Alfred hospital. When my mother was having radiation treatment there, l would look out the window and see the ambulance helicopter flying in and medical staff racing out to meet the patient. It was then l realised that my goal was to work in accident emergency.

This course at Bendigo TAFE is fantastic and l would recommend it to anyone.

"I was very fortunate to have fantastic and caring teachers at Bendigo TAFE who always made time to talk to me. No question too stupid."