Nicole Morrissey is currently studying Nutritional Medicine.
Nicole started her career as a registered nurse and became interested in how else she could make a greater impact on health outcomes. With this, she started focusing more on preventive care. Through learning holistic patient assessment and looking to treat the cause of symptoms, she noticed that this approach could lead to real changes in someone’s life.
Nicole is also the mother of two beautiful children and studied part-time whilst working and looking after the family.
Tell us about the very moment you decided to leave your old life behind and start studying again. How did you feel?
I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge in health. Returning to study was daunting at first but I’m glad I have done it now. I’d had to sacrifice a bit of family and ‘me’ time but my passion for nutrition made it worthwhile.
What made you want to switch from Nursing to Nutrition?
This was really threefold. While I plan to continue my nursing, my experience with many chronic and infectious disease had taught me you really need to think broadly and holistically to get ahead in illness. Additionally, my practice in Bikram yoga and being a parent made me really want to achieve the best for myself, my family and my community, and nutrition is one of the fundamental aspects of a healthy life.
“My dream is to empower individuals to achieve greater vitality, avoid disease and reciprocate these benefits to others too.”
Why do you think good nutrition important?
Good Nutrition is fundamental to health. We are becoming increasingly aware of poor and inappropriate nutrition being at the root cause of disease. By applying an evidence-based natural approach we are able to address where an individual may be deficient or excessive in their diet and how this relates to symptoms they may be experiencing. Additionally looking after ourselves through nutritional and lifestyle approaches makes us more robust, resilient and available to provide support to others. Our health is our greatest asset and good nutrition is an essential component of it.
We are becoming increasingly aware of poor and inappropriate nutrition being at the root cause of disease… our health is our greatest asset and good nutrition is an essential component of it.
How did on-the-job training with real clients and clinics improve your employability?
Seeing real clients in the Wellbeing Centre was such a great way to learn. It helped me tie all the knowledge together and gave me the tools and confidence I needed to take into my career as a nutritionist.
Where do you want to go now that you are a qualified Nutritionist? What’s next?
I’m planning to start up my own private practice based in North West Sydney, which is exciting and nerve-racking. My dream is to empower individuals to achieve greater vitality, avoid disease and reciprocate these benefits to others too.
What is one piece of advice you could give to someone considering studying nutrition?
Studying Nutrition is such a worthwhile pursuit as there is no one your knowledge won’t benefit. Learning to treat the whole person and the interrelationships within our bodies is fascinating. My study had been a great journey which I plan to continue to expand as I go through life and practice.
