Local woman on nursing training journey

Tenterfield woman Alison Cooper last week completed a clinical placement at Tenterfield Hospital in her quest to complete her Registered Nurse training.

Alison said she started her nursing training when she finished high school in Sydney in the early 90s, but only went as far as getting her Enrolled Nurse qualifications.

So three years ago Alison started doing a part-time Bachelor of Nursing Studies through the University of New England, which would allow her to convert from enrolled nursing to registered nursing, which she describes as ‘a totally different career’.

"This placement was two weeks, where I focused on palliative care and aged care. Earlier this year I’ve done placements at Port Macquarie and Tamworth hospitals in the areas of mental health, maternity and paediatrics.

"I think that’s what I like most about nursing is the variety. In Tenterfield for example, you get a bit of everything – respiratory disease, medical problems, orthopaedics – and in the emergency department you can have anything walk through the door – a spider bite to whatever!" she said

Next year will be her fourth and final year of the bachelor program and she hopes to organise an oncology placement at a larger hospital like Tamworth.

"You always seem to hear about people getting cancer these days. The Star even quoted figures from the Cancer Council saying that the Tenterfield area has an average of 35 people a year diagnosed with cancer. Oncology, or cancer treatment, is the area of nursing I most want to specialise in," she said.

Acting Tenterfield Health Service Manager Tessa Capsanis was very pleased to have had such as diligent student as Alison working in the hospital.

"We haven’t had a student for some time at Tenterfield and this hospital has valuable experience to offer. Students are exposed to a wider range of experiences at smaller sites than in larger hospitals in which they may be placed in only one area for the period of the placement.

"Nursing can be a fulfilling career as there is nothing more satisfying than seeing people heal not only physically but mentally, and then able to go back into their lives, families and their community," she said.

Tessa said there are several pathways into nursing - through TAFE in an Assistant in Nursing or Enrolled Nursing program or through university with a Bachelor of Nursing degree and a number of bridging courses to step from one role to the next.

"Nursing is diverse and there is a niche for everyone. It is also good to see an interest among males and various cultural groups who are taking up nursing careers," she said.

Anyone wishing to talk about nursing career options is welcome to contact Tessa Capsanis at Tenterfield Hospital, who will put them in touch with the relevant advisor.