Casandra making a difference to the future of Enrolled Nurses

 World Health Organisation has named 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. We take this year to recognise the invaluable contribution nurses and midwives make to transform the Australian health care system; and nurture those who will shape the profession’s future.

We spoke to Casandra, a passionate Diploma of Nursing graduate from 2017, and now Mater Education Diploma of Nursing Advisory Committee member, who is using her qualification to make a real difference to the field she has worked in since age 16.

At 35 years of age, Casandra decided it was time to change professions after paving a successful career in childhood care for almost 20 years and having three children of her own.

She embarked on Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing program after learning of the course through a parent at the childcare centre she centre she worked at and was co-owner of.

“Without a doubt, as soon as I knew the program was offered, it was always niggling - that’s what I want to do.”

Despite enrolling in the course for what was an intended a career change, Casandra experienced a self-confessed light-bulb moment whilst completing her Diploma.

“Right up until my paediatrics elective, I was convinced I was going to be a nurse. But once I did the elective and prac, I thought, hang on a minute; why do early childhood educators hand out medication but there are so many dynamics and risks that need to be considered when giving paediatric medication?”

By the time Casandra completed her Diploma of Nursing, she had expanded her childcare centre ownership, and had goals to apply her newly-learned skills to both improve the care provided to the community, and increase employment opportunities for Enrolled Nurses.

Passionate about the quality of nurses that come from Mater Education’s program, Casandra has endeavoured to have graduates join her team.

Two of the early childhood enrolled nurses in her centres are Mater Education graduates. “It’s only natural to hire Mater nurses if I can every year.”

“I found that the three teaching styles of lectures, Problem Based Learning (PBL) and simulation provided such a comprehensive method to absorb all the information and understand the practices. I felt that was the best thing about it.”

 “I feel like the course on offer at Mater Education is extremely professional and can separate you from the crowd.”

A woman with a goal, Casandra is pushing to ensure Enrolled Nurses are employed in early childhood centres. She has successfully re-invested her Diploma of Nursing learnings back into her distinguished skills in childhood care.

“Although I didn’t necessarily enter nursing, studying the Diploma of Nursing with Mater Education has improved my businesses. I have up to 450 children in my legal care, every week that are now safer and better-off for having qualified Enrolled Nurses who are medically endorsed present at the service every day.”

If you’d like to learn more about how our Diploma of Nursing can shape your future, contact our team on 1300 070 350 or click here.