DO NOT COPY. Nicola Lang. Entry. ID:159 Vocational Student of the Year. Overview

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1 ID:159 Vocational Student of the Year Nicola Lang Entry Overview Thirty years ago I would never have dreamed that I d want a complete career change at this stage in my life. I was 49 years old; I had two teenage children, and was quite happy in my place of work. I was working as a receptionist at St. Andrew s Private Hospital in Ipswich and it struck me that I wanted more; that I wanted to become a nurse. Nobody was more surprised than me when I passed the entrance examination and in August, 2012 I joined a class of thirty men and women to begin what was to become one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. At the same time a position as Patient Care Assistant/Ward Clerk became available at the hospital, which I applied for and was successful in obtaining. HTL51607 Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) became my focal point for the next two years. Because of my position within the hospital, I was able to put into practice many of the things I learned at TAFE. I realised very quickly how fortunate I was to already be part of the health industry. As a mature age student, getting back into the study thing was never going to be easy, and it wasn t, but I loved it! My family was very supportive of me and gave me the time I needed to study and complete assignments. As time went on, the numbers in the classroom diminished and by the end of the course, we were down to seven original class members. We became very close over the years and formed study groups, which were very beneficial. Some of us remain very good friends to this date. I successfully completed all the assignments and workbooks given to us. I discovered a love of problem based learning; researching a prescribed subject and then presenting it to the class in an interesting and informative manner. To my complete surprise, I was actually quite good at standing in front of a classroom and delivering my subject in many different ways. This form of learning, very quickly, became my favourite thing to do. Going on clinical placement was always somewhat daunting; at least it was for me. I would find myself doubting my skills and knowledge but ended up really enjoying my placements, and learning so much from the wonderful nurses I had the luck and privilege to work with. To be able to attend to patients and their needs only cemented my belief that becoming an Enrolled Nurse was the right thing for me to be doing.

2 I feel I have always given my best to anything I set out to achieve and this course proved to be no different. I dedicated my time to study and to gaining a greater understanding of the subjects we were undertaking at any given time. I always set high standards and constantly reminded myself that I was representative of TAFE Queensland South West and to always live up to their values and standards. When I successfully completed my studies and graduated from TAFE, I was offered a job at St. Andrew s Hospital, Ipswich as an Enrolled Nurse, relieving a nurse who was on maternity leave. I remained in that position until the end of January and am now working in another ward. In both these wards I have learned so much, cementing the skills I have acquired over the past few years and learning new ones. I realise how very lucky I am to have worked at the hospital for over ten years. Working in reception has given me knowledge of the admission and discharge process; how to relate to patients and their families in what can be extremely stressful situations; understanding of the charting system and paperwork used by our hospital, and so much more. Working on the ward as a Ward Clerk and Patient Care Assistant was an invaluable experience. I developed knowledge of how a very busy ward was run and because I had hands-on contact with patients, I improved my people skills. I also had to be able to talk to the doctors and surgeons in some matters. I am very proud to be a part of the health industry. My employer is constantly expanding and advancing in its delivery of service. In the very near future an emergency department and rehabilitation facility will be part of the services they provide and I am eager to work in these areas and develop my clinical skills and knowledge especially in relation to new technologies. The scope of the Enrolled Nurse is ever expanding and I feel working in these areas will enhance my scope of practice. Criterion 1: Training contribution to career and study plans Working in different areas of the hospital prior to commencing the Nursing Diploma gave me great advantages however I would not be in the position I currently hold without the excellent training passed on to me through the nursing staff at TAFE Queensland South West. Through this training, my employers saw me grow as an employee and that s why they offered me a position as an Enrolled Nurse. I will never pass the opportunity to learn from my colleagues. I have discovered that you learn something new every day. If I hear a medical term or a medication I am not sure of, I will look it up or ask for clarification as soon as possible in order to have a better understanding of it.

3 understanding of it. Having been working in the position of an Enrolled Nurse for some four months now, it gives me great pleasure when somebody asks me something and I am able to answer them with confidence. We have had some students on the wards and as my student days were only a very short time ago, I am always happy to help them and share any knowledge I have with them. I am furthering my skills by having commenced an intravenous medication course in February. My employers are fully supportive of this and I will be doing the practical side of this course at my place of work. I would like to further my knowledge about wound management. I find the subject very interesting how different products can encourage the healing of wounds, also how the body itself and the different systems within the body can affect its ability to heal. Ultimately I would like to specialise in this field. Clinical Placements: - Riverview Gardens Aged Care Bed making, vital observations, bathing and correct manual handling of patients, feeding. - Boonah Hospital Dispensing medications, dressing of wounds, mobilising patients, writing in charts. - Beaudesert Road Surgery Removal of sutures, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, dressings, sterilising of equipment, day-to-day running of a busy medical centre, assisting doctors in minor procedures. - Palliative Care IGH Developed all previously mentioned skills plus vast improvement in interpersonal skills with patients and their families. - Rehabilitation Ward IGH Learned so much about the importance of rehabilitation in patients who have suffered or are suffering from a disabling condition. Criterion 2: Training contribution to skills During our time at TAFE my classmates and I worked extremely well as a team. We also had to take turns at the role of chairperson when we presented our problem based learning PowerPoint. Our teachers gave us lots of instruction and advice on how these should be run. We also had to learn how to write in patients charts using precise and concise wording. This took a lot of work for me but I now find myself able to convey what I need to write effectively and efficiently. As a nurse, I have to be able to communicate with the patient, their family and with colleagues. This can be quite a skill because of the diverse range of ages and backgrounds involved. I feel I communicate very well with everyone and this is due in no small way to the training I received at TAFE and life experience. At the beginning of every shift I set out a care plan for each

4 At the beginning of every shift I set out a care plan for each patient, which helps enable me to effectively care for each of my patients in a timely manner. This also includes time for writing charts and pathways. Although not often thought of as important, it is vital for any person to factor a break into their working day. We all need to refuel and rest in order to be an effective member of any team and the work in an efficient manner. My confidence and levels of self-reliance and resilience have improved since working as an Enrolled Nurse. I recently had a patient who became very ill and required emergency treatment and I had to make on the spot decisions as to what needed to be done. My development of skills and knowledge and critical thinking as a student at TAFE and the experience gained in a variety of clinical placements gave me the confidence to recognise the patient s signs and symptoms and what steps I needed to take in order to care for my patient. Criterion 3: Why you would be a good ambassador I feel I would be a good ambassador for the training system in Queensland because I am a strong example of how age should not be a barrier in obtaining an education or improving upon your education. I was 49 when I commenced this journey and 51 on completion. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. I had to learn about referencing and how to set out an assignment correctly. I didn t have any knowledge of PowerPoint but I soon learned and ended up loving it. I had a little experience in addressing a class but nothing to the extent that we covered in this course. My maths skills were very basic and I had to be reminded of how to do long division and how to show workings out for any calculations that needed to be done within exams. I am very proud to say that I scored 100% first time in the medical calculations exam. Each staff member at my current ward is responsible for preparing education sessions for other staff members. My competency as an Enrolled Nurse means that I am able to contribute to these changes. My experience as a student at TAFE has been invaluable for being able to prepare my own session. I look back at what I have achieved and realise that I really have done something I couldn t have done thirty years ago. Back then, I didn t have the drive and determination that I do now. I also did it whilst holding down a job, raising a family and running a household. Yes, I am happy and proud to have come this far. I would encourage anybody, regardless of age and previous education, to just give it a go. Nursing is such a rewarding career.

5 education, to just give it a go. Nursing is such a rewarding career. It has its lows like any other career, but oh my goodness, the highs are amazing. The journey I undertook almost three years ago has not ended, this is only the beginning. I can t wait for the rest of the ride. Criterion 4: Achievements in other activities I have always been involved in community organisations. I was a member of the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale for twenty-nine years and was their Secretary for approximately twenty of those years. As Secretary, I assisted the Chairperson, responded to all correspondence, attended monthly meetings, Annual General Meetings and wrote the minutes for each of these. My children are both heavily involved in the Scouting movement and as such I have become a parent helper and badge examiner within the Redbank Plains Scout Group. As badge examiner I am required to assess children who have prepared something in order to achieve a badge. I am in possession of a Blue Card. I was also Secretary of this group for two years attending to all correspondence, applying for Government Grants and assisting the Scout Group Leader. I was a parent helper at my children s primary school, Collingwood Park State School and also helped in the tuckshop for some twelve years. I received a certificate in recognition of my volunteer service to the school from The Hon Bernie Ripoll MP, Federal Member for Oxley in I spent six years in the Australian Army Reserves, During this time I attained the rank of Lance Corporal and I was awarded the Australian Defence Medal in I was employed by the Ipswich City Council for some twenty-six years and for some of that time I was heavily involved with the Council s Quality Customer Service course as a Moderator. I had to prepare and conduct training sessions on providing quality customer service for Council employees from various work groups within the Council. I was chosen by the Council to moderate these courses because of the standard of customer service I delivered on a daily basis whilst just doing my job. Course/Certificate name in full HLT51607 Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) Course/Certificate completion date or expected completion date August, 2014 Name of employer while completing training St. Andrew's Hospital, Ipswich

6 St. Andrew's Hospital, Ipswich Date of birth 20/01/1963 Name of supervisor Helen Cole Name of registered training organisation (e.g. TAFE) TAFE Queensland South West Attachments Name of group training organisation (if applicable) Nicola reference.pdf img pdf img pdf img pdf