Terry Robson

Age: 21 years old.

Your Course: Trainee Enrolled Nurse Course.

Qualification: Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse.)

Campus: Shellharbour TAFE.

What were you doing before you enrolled at TAFE?
Successfully completed my Higher School Certificate in 2003. From the age of 15 I worked as a Casual Sales Assistant for Bakers Delight after school and on weekends. In 2004 I enrolled into the Certificate III in Aged Care Nursing at TAFE Nowra Campus. During this time I commenced employment as an Assistant In Nursing (AIN) with Anglicare at Chesalon Aged Care Nursing Home Facility. After successful completion of this course, I continued working at Chesalon Aged Care Facility and also gained a permanent part time position as an AIN at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital on Medical Ward.

Why did you enrol at TAFE?
I was unsuccessful in attaining a high UAI after I finished my HSC and therefore wasn't able to get into University after I left school. After doing my Certificate III in Aged Care Nursing and working in the Nursing Industry as an AIN, I knew I wanted to go further within the Nursing Profession, so I chose to apply for the Enrolled Nurse Traineeship to gain the qualification of an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse and use the course as a stepping stone to get into university to do my Bachelor of Nursing (RN) Degree. I plan on doing the Enrolled Nursing conversion course next July, and after successful completion of it I will be able to gain entrance into university in 2009 as a second year Registered Nurse.

Why did you choose this career path?At the age of twelve my mother became seriously ill, requiring major emergency surgery on several occasions and as a result was hospitalised for a substantial period of time. During her hospital stay, I witnessed the care and compassion given to my mother and other patients from the medical staff, in particular the nurses. I could see first hand what a difference they made to the people they were caring for. It was at this time that I first entertained the possibility of working in the medical profession, either as a paramedic or a nurse so as to really make a difference and have a positive influence on people's lives. Since that time, this became my main focus as my chosen career path.

What do you enjoy most about your training at TAFE?
Gaining as much knowledge as I can about the nursing profession and meeting new people who have the same aspirations as what I have, as well as making friends along the way. The teachers were excellent and very supportive to the students throughout the duration of our theoretical studies at TAFE. Because they were qualified in the profession, with some of them still actively employed as nurses, they were able to bring their experiences into the class room, giving us the opportunity to learn from these experiences.

What is your advice to others thinking about their career & future education?Find your passion and follow it!! If you don't achieve what you hope for during your secondary schooling, there are other options of getting to where you want to go through TAFE.

Where do you hope your career path has taken you to 5 years from now?5 years from now my long term goals are to have successfully completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree (Registered Nurse) and a Bachelor of Clinical Practice Degree (Paramedic), and to be working in these fields. One day I hope to travel and work in these fields overseas.