Rachael always wanted a career that centred care. After studying optometry for a year, nursing caught her eye. ºÚÁÏÂÛ̳’s Bachelor of Nursing offers students 800 hours of industry placement, giving students real experience in clinical settings. For Rachael, it’s been the start to an engaging, rewarding career in nursing.
Rachael | Bachelor of Nursing | The Royal Women's Hospital
Finding passion through experience
Under full supervision, Rachael learned the ins and outs of nursing in real-world settings. Along the way, she connected with patients and found her passion.
‘There are so many specialties for you to explore. If you're not happy with one, there are other options for you to try’, Rachael says. These options have allowed Rachael to realise her potential and explore her options.
Rachael says that her time in the gynaecology ward at the Royal Women’s Hospital left the biggest impression. ‘Many patients expressed very openly how they really felt safe with us, like they were really seen and taken care of’, she says.
‘Being attentive is what makes nursing a bit demanding, but also more rewarding’, she says. ‘It makes life that much better for the patient’.
When compassion saves lives
Rachael recalls her most impactful experience on placement being when she comforted a patient showing signs of sepsis – a potentially life-threatening condition. ‘My patient was deteriorating quite fast’, she says. ‘She came in fine, but then she started having fevers.’
Rachael went to her supervisor immediately. ‘I realised that something was very wrong, so I told my supervising nurse and we escalated the situation together’, she says.
Rachael knew her scope was limited, but she could still help. She stayed with the patient and made her feel comfortable and safe.
'As a student, I don't have the capacity to be able to do a lot, but I feel like just standing next to her, holding her hand and wiping her tears gave her the support she really needed in that moment.’
Grad-ready and on her way
It’s not just patients who appreciate Rachael. Her supervisors have given her consistently good feedback, noting her high standard of care.
‘Rachael is grad ready! Good Âtime management, asks appropriate quesÂtions, escalates as needed. Always helpful and paÂtients respond well to her’, one said.
Rachael has been a delight on the ward, engages well with patients and is always offering to help other staff’, another supervisor said.
Rachael plans to preference The Royal Women’s Hospital when she graduates. ‘My experience there was just amazing’, she says. With real experience and skills under her belt, Rachael’s ready to take on anything.
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