Kayla is studying nursing/midwifery at The University of Queensland.
1.What inspired you to choose a career in nursing/midwifery?
I have always had a passion for healthcare. My dad worked for Snowy Hydro Southcare, which was an aeromedical rescue helicopter in Canberra and Southern NSW, and I grew up listening to his stories of medical rescues and emergency interventions, and that definitely sparked my interest. But after leaving school I joined the Navy, went and explored the world, made amazing friends and matured a lot. I finished in the Navy after seven years, and after struggling with some health issues of my own, I finally began studying nursing and midwifery. I am incredibly happy I chose this path.
2. Can you share a moment from your clinical placements that confirmed nursing/midwifery was the right path?
I can narrow it down to two moments. The first, was my first placement shift in the Birth Suite, and I got my very first baby catch. Helping a mother birth a baby into the world and being in the room is such a surreal and rewarding experience. Watching a mother and father meet their little baby for the first time is a feeling words simply cannot describe, and I will never forget that shift.
The second moment would have been watching one of my long-term patients on the ward I was on placement at leave the ward and go to rehab to work towards being discharged home. This is such an incredible milestone for patients, particularly those who have been ill for a long time. Seeing them achieve all their goals and get to rehab where you know they will be in the best hands to get on their feet and back to living at home is very rewarding. I also loved building my relationship with patients’ and their families on this ward.
3. How do you manage stress and find balance between your studies, work and personal life?
I find that having a routine and a planner is the best way to manage everything. I plan out each week, making sure I have my uni, work, workouts and social happenings all laid out in front of me. This helps me stay on top of everything and gives me things to look forward to when I have assessments for every class due in a week of each other! It is also super important to make sure you make time for yourself as well, where this is a time you do what you want to do, whether it’s watching a movie, going for a walk or taking a nap.
4. What’s your top study tip?
Stay on top of it! It is so easy to put off watching lectures and content, but if you stay on top of it each week, it makes the end of semester exam period far easier. Personally, I like to make a one-page cheat sheet after each lecture, I put this in my course folder and come exam time, it is a super easy way to remember the important things I learnt each week.
Also, working with your friends is so important. We regularly book a room on campus in between classes and study as a group. It is a great way to ask questions, test each other, and of course catch up with each other.
5. Which specialty are you most interested in?
Emergency Department! I love working under pressure, and I enjoy a challenge. In the ED, no two days are ever the same. I think it will really challenge my thinking and develop my clinical skills significantly, as well as be incredibly rewarding. Later in my career I hope to work for the RFDS.
6. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their nursing/midwifery journey?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be a sponge and absorb everything you can. It is ok, and normal, to feel overwhelmed at times, but by taking time to decompress, think, and ask questions you will digest the information piece by piece (I also recommend going to class, that’s the best way to ask questions and learn!!). I’d also highly recommend joining your school’s social club: it’s a great way to meet other peers in the same degree, play sports with them, and let your hair down at social events.
7. If you weren’t pursuing nursing/midwifery, what career might you have chosen?
I think I was made for healthcare! So, I would have done Paramedicine or Medicine.
