Eyes opened to possibilities

Tanaya Claver-Malaschevsky was a teenager when she lost a special member of her family in tragic circumstances. Her cousin Aaron was living on the streets and struggled with drug and alcohol abuse when he died - he was only 23. 

The tragedy left Tanaya and her family heartbroken but was also one of the driving forces for her to complete her Diploma of Nursing with Mater Education in July 2021.

“As a teenager I never knew there were community-based support services that worked with rough sleepers like Aaron, but I did know I wanted a career that allowed me to help people. That’s why I applied to study with Mater Education,” Tanaya said.

“When I did a placement during my Diploma of Nursing with Micah Projects my eyes were opened to the range of community services available for rough sleepers, and that as a nurse I could make a difference in these people’s live.

“Micah Projects employs mental health nurses who visit rough sleepers and set up activities for them, and community nurses who help with physical wellbeing such as wound care, medication monitoring and general health. They work so hard to help rough sleepers get a home and get off the streets.”

The 19-year-old graduate said the flexibility of the Mater Education Diploma of Nursing course also allowed her to work in the industry while she trained – which has led to a fulltime job.

“The Diploma of Nursing course time was 2.5 days a week for 18 months, so I was able to work part-time at Ipswich Hospital as an assistant nurse while I studied. I think this really gave me an edge to secure a job as an enrolled nurse with the hospital which I start next month,” she said. 

“I’d recommend Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing program because it provides a great opportunity for anyone, at any age, who wants to take a step further into nursing. The education team leaders were very supportive and made sure we got to the finish line, despite the roadblocks thrown-up by COVID-19.

“I will be forever grateful to the team for getting us through but for also giving me the chance to go to Micah Projects where I learnt so much about mental health and community nursing. I hope down the track I’ll be able to use my nursing skills in an organisation like Micah Projects so I can make a difference in the lives of rough sleepers like my cousin, Aaron, and others in the community who need a helping hand.”  

If you’d like to change the lives of others, like Tanaya, join our upcoming October intake. Applications close soon!