Written by Lily Thorburn, UTS Bachelor of Nursing student
1. What inspired you to study nursing?
One day, I was catching the bus home from school and saw some nurses hop on after a shift at the nearby hospital. I remember looking at them in such awe and admiration and thinking to myself that maybe nursing is something I might enjoy.
The more I thought about it, the more I realised nursing is everything I could want out of a career! I get to work in a dynamic and interesting environment, I get to work amongst a team and I get to help others and make a real difference. I’ve had my heart set on nursing since my senior years of high school and I’ve never looked back!
2. What are your career plans?
My immediate career goals are focused on gaining a Graduate Registered Nurse position, which will allow me to transition from a student to a practitioner in a supported role. Long-term, I’m passionate about critical care nursing and would love to one day work in either an Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit. I’m keen to complete postgraduate studies and eventually move into a leadership role such as a nurse specialist, educator or manager position.
3. What’s it like to be a student at UTS?
It’s pretty cool! UTS is a very future-focused university which is important for nursing as best-practice care is always changing and evolving as new research informs treatment that is evidence based.
It’s a privilege to study and learn in state-of-the art laboratories that mimic hospital wards, and practice on manikins that actually respond to treatment! Socially, I’ve really enjoyed being a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Society, so much so that I’ve since become the Secretary for the society!
4. What’s been your favourite subject so far?
In third year, nursing students study an Introduction to Speciality Practice subject and choose and area of nursing they are interested in from a range of specialties.
As someone that wants to work in emergency or intensive care, I chose the Critical Care specialty and this was by far my favourite subject! I found it fascinating to dive deeper into the nursing skills and knowledge required to care for people who are critically unwell. I learnt about intubation and ventilation, external ventricular drains, arterial lines, arterial blood gas interpretation and more! The highlight was wrapping up the subject with a two-week placement in a major emergency department.
5. What’s your best advice for managing work and study commitments for this degree?
I’m naturally a very organised person so I find it essential to carefully manage my study commitments to keep my cool.
Each week I like to draft a ‘to do’ list on a work document, and list each of my subjects as sub-headings. Then under each subject I’ll list what tasks / assessments / pre-work need to be completed that week. I’ll then assess the urgency of these tasks, and look in my diary to arrange what I can do and when. This allows me to consider my work and social commitments as well. When I’ve completed a task I cross it off! This way I can keep track of what needs to be done.
Find out more about studying nursing at UTS
Inside | Out 