For Ashleigh Gilroy Smith nursing is a calling.
Ever since she can remember she wanted to be a nurse, following in her grandmother’s footsteps.
“I was very much influenced by my grandmother who was a nurse,” she says.
When she left school, she decided to complete a Certificate IV in Allied Health and for the next few years, she worked as an assistant in physiotherapy and in the aged care setting as a Dementia Carer.
It was a way for her to really determine if nursing was where she wanted to head and hardened her resolve to get her Bachelor of Nursing degree.
“After I’d finished my Certificate IV, I realised I wanted to go to university, so I looked at all the options and came across the UOW College,” she says.
“I knew I wanted to complete my degree at UOW and when I saw that UOW College allowed me to complete a Diploma of Nursing and then transition into the second year of the bachelor’s degree I knew it was the right one.
“It offered a little more security for me to be able to get into university and do my nursing degree.
“The days are variable and manageable which has made it easier to transition into studying again,” she says.
“But by far the best thing is the teachers. They give you so much support and constructive feedback.” The hands-on approach to learning through vocational training was also a big advantage she says.
“I love the practicals, they are the best part of the learning program,” she says.
“I like being hands-on and enjoy the simulation labs. After working in aged care for a couple of years, I already had the gist of things, but the simulation labs have shown me how I can adapt what I know to different settings.
“The trainers share their own personal experiences, which makes it more interesting and because you’re doing all of the simulations with friends in class it is fun.” While nursing has always been the ultimate goal for Ashleigh, she says there are so many avenues she would like to pursue once she gets her qualifications and registration.
“I’ve looked into air rescue and flight nursing as well. I used to do Air Force cadets and I think it would be a good way to combine my nursing and love of flying.
“I can use my nursing degree to travel and work around the world.”
Ashleigh has been fortunate to obtain the Aunty Linda Cruse scholarship which supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who aspire towards higher education or vocational course options through study at UOW College.
“The scholarship supports my studies as the cost of the course can be daunting and stressful for students who struggle with financial hardship,” she says.
“It has reduced the cost of the course and has taken a big stress off my shoulders as I financially support myself.
“I found out about the scholarship by doing some research as I was struggling with financial hardship around the cost of the course and was looking for some support.
“Receiving it means a lot to me as I can put my all into my studies without the need to stress about financial worries and I’m sure it has helped many other students who are in the same position as me.”
Ashleigh says she is looking forward to finishing her Diploma and starting her bachelor’s degree in 2024 and knows the foundation she has gained through the College has given her a strong grounding. “I think it will be a good transition into the bachelor’s degree because the College has prepared me for the way in which university works,” she says.
“I’m very excited to just knuckle down and get it all done because it is what I have wanted to do for a long time.
“It feels good that I am getting there, achieving my goals and pushing through to pursue a career I have always wanted.”
Interested in studying the Diploma of Nursing? Find out more.
Ashleigh Gilroy Smith
HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing