Jessica completed a Bachelor Degree in Registered Nursing at the University of South Australia in 2010. Her study structure involved a mixed mode study approach which included internal and external study, as well as sacrificing the long holidays university is renowned for to complete summer and winter school, all so she could work full time in between and not be disadvantaged by completing her degree in a longer time frame. All up it took Jessica four years, cutting 1-2 years off the part- time study pathway and still giving her great flexibility.

“My degree involved both a theory and practical component. 20 weeks of my program was fulltime work placement in which I had aged care, intensive care and primary health care placements. UniSA offer many international study tours and exchange programs, and I was fortunate enough to undertake an international nursing study tour to Malaysia.” For Jessica this was an experience of a lifetime and one that she highly recommends to any university student to experience for themselves. “My nursing experience in Malaysia was indescribable. I had the chance to explore Kuala Lumpur on our two day stop over and then we based ourselves in Sarawak, Borneo. To have the chance to immerse myself in another culture and live and breathe their life and work conditions in the field that I love was amazing and I will always look at my nursing practice with far greater perspective because of this experience.”

Jessica is now three quarters of the way through her Graduate Nurse program at the Lyell McEwin hospital. It is a program designed by the hospital to transition first year Registered Nurses into the field of Acute Nursing. She works full time on a 7 day rotating shift work roster. “My study days are most definitely not over. The program requires assignments, and survival in healthcare requires autonomous study which means all day work and study by night, although this is easing now. This program consists of two six month rotations. My first rotation was in an Intensive Care Unit which I loved and have found a real passion for, and my second rotation is in an Acute Medical Ward where I currently am now.

Jessica has an absolute passion for learning and sharing her knowledge and experience with others. “This is a value that was definitely instilled into me during my time at St Columba. The philosophy of ‘lifelong learning’ which the College promotes is important to me. It is weaved into the nursing profession, and will stay a part of me always. Learning never stops, and it would be ignorant of us to switch off to it.” Jessica’s future goals include embarking on further education and training. She would love to facilitate future students in the health care industry and assist people to fulfill their goals in healthcare. It is a real passion of hers to continue learning and improving her knowledge; she believes it to be the greatest power we can hold as individuals.

Since finishing Year 12, besides building a career for herself, Jessica has recently become engaged. “I was asked on the beach one evening in Fiji. My fiancé and I have bought a house. I had my first home at 20 and we are busily renovating. We are also lovers of travel. The world is so big and full of so many cultures and histories waiting to be explored. I have the travel bug very badly and love exploring and experiencing other countries and what they have to offer. I have been to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Fiji. Currently we are planning a trip to the States. I have not left Australia out; we have been to Melbourne and Queensland. Our trip to Cambodia was inspired by my old Year 12 teacher Mr Hamilton, a fantastic teacher and person, and a book he gave for my English study from his own travels to Cambodia. It was an autobiography by a young Cambodian girl who was unfortunate to have experienced the horrific crimes of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge. I never truly understood the reality of these crimes until I went to the killing fields where this mass genocide occurred and was able to see it with my own eyes. It was the saddest (and that is an understatement) thing I have ever seen, however at the same time it was a privilege to see what was taught to me at school and really develop an awareness of the world’s history.

“I am very proud of where I am today, however, I am where I am because of the great support that I have had over many years from all the people close to me. This includes the foundation that St Columba laid down for me, but the rest I had to build with motivation, determination, direction and planning, and anyone else can too.”