How you can graduate job-ready

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At Torrens University, you will graduate with hundreds of hours of recognised professional experience allowing you to develop and expand your practical insights, abilities and industry networks.

Our current students tell us how they gained industry experience before they graduated.

Industry placements are an essential part of our course. We place high importance on giving our first-hand experience in a variety of clinical settings.

 At Torrens Univeristy, you will graduate with hundreds of hours of recognised professional experience allowing you to develop and expand your practical insights, abilities and industry networks.

Hear what our Nursing students, Isaac and Veronica, have to say about their experience in clinical placements.

What has motivated you to study Nursing?

ISAAC: Coming from a refugee background, I have seen many people suffer as refugees and live in abject poverty with little or no healthcare system. As a result, I grew a passion for care and assistance and I started dreaming of becoming nurse. My dream came true when I had the opportunity to come to Australia, I closely took a look at a nursing career and found out that, nursing is not only about caring for individuals, but it can also contribute in developing society due to its diversity and many job opportunities.

VERONICA: I always loved helping people. I worked in retail for a long time, it wasn’t fulfilling to help my customers getting a new outfit, and I wanted more.

What were you doing before you started studying the course?

ISAAC: As a new migrant in Australia, I was looking for a quick job to provide basic needs for myself and my family. I started working as a forklift driver but I did not find happiness in my job. I needed something that I would truly love. As a result I studied a Certificate III in Aged Care and started working in a nursing home. Within few months, I started feeling satisfied and I decided to increase my knowledge by studying a Certificate IV in Aged Care. Then, I got my first Diploma in Community Services Co-ordination and in July 2016, I started my Diploma of Nursing.

VERONICA: I have been working in women’s fashion for almost 5 years.

What were your clinical placements like?

ISAAC: I first had a 3 weeks clinical placement with Regis Aged Care in January 2017. I learned the practical aspect of residents’ vital signs taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration and oxygen. I also experienced bed making, manual handling, safety work measures, documentations, assisting residents with activities of daily living (ADLs), recording of fluid balance chart, pressure area care, management of catheter and specimen collection (urine and faeces).

Then a 2 weeks clinical placement with Campbelltown Private Hospital in February 2018 where I practiced even more. I attended blood sugar level (BGL), clinical handover, wound dressing, wound swap, identified changes in clinical status of patients out of normal perimeters, medication administration under a supervision of a Registered nurse.

Finally, I had 1 week mental health clinical placement with The Hills Private Hospital in March. I was able to learn mental health examination assessment.

VERONICA: I had a 2 weeks (but I wished it was longer – I loved it!!) clinical placement with Campbelltown Private Hospital in February 2018. I learnt so much during this placement, from medication administration, to communicating with other staff. I also learnt how to administer a subacutaneous injection. The staff was amazing and taught me a lot.

“I learnt so much during this placement, from medication administration, to communicating with other staff. I also learnt how to administer a subacutaneous injection. The staff was amazing and taught me a lot.”

Can you share your favourite experience during one of your placements?

ISSAC: After my sub-acute hospital placement at Campbelltown Private Hospital, one of my patient wrote an appreciation letter the hospital management to tell how professional I have been. This letter further described me as an excellent, very passionate, enthusiastic intern having always a positive attitude and caring beyond what was expected of me.

VERONICA: My favourite and most memorable experience was being able to administer a subcutaneous injection with the supervision of a registered Nurse. Although the whole 2 weeks of sub-acute clinical placement was amazing.

How did the placements positively impact your studies and career?

ISAAC: The clinical placements have equipped me with the skills required to become a nurse and has helped me to be accountable for my own actions and decisions as a nurse. It has given me the opportunity to be a part of a team and I now understand the importance of working together for a better patient outcome. It has also exposed me to real life encounters within the hospital setting. The experience so far has been really encouraging and I now would like to further my nursing career to a bachelor level.

VERONICA: It has really given me back my passion and motivation towards nursing. When the previous education provider closed, I was left in the dark for what was going to happen to my studies and future career. I really started to question if it was the right career path for me. I have since forgotten my doubt as this clinical placement really gave me my passion back. I am now considering to complete my Bachelor of Nursing sooner rather than later.

“I am proud of all the skills I have acquired so far, I am feeling more confident to be able to work as an Enrolled Nurse one day.”

What was the best piece of career (or life) advice that you received?

ISAAC: It was “Seize the opportunity” when you have it and focus on whatever you are doing that have a meaningful or significant contribution in the society.

VERONICA: Commit! If not you’ll miss out!

What are some of the achievements you are most proud of?

ISAAC: I am proud of all the skills I have acquired so far, I am feeling more confident to be able to work as an Enrolled Nurse one day.

VERONICA: During my placement, I helped a patient to the best of my ability and it didn’t get unnoticed. She wrote a letter to the facility manager to specially thank me and another student. That was when I knew that I was in the right place and this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

Check our Nursing Courses to learn more
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