The Inside Scoop Of Being A Nurse

The healthcare industry is a rewarding career path to take. Whether you're a nurse or a therapy assistant, allied health is an area that's in high demand. As such, anyone taking online courses in nursing is ensuring a safe and secure professional future for themselves.

Is the healthcare industry growing in Australia? 

Actually, yes, it is. Since 2015, the number of registered nurses in Australia has increased by a whopping 21%, a trend that is set to continue for the foreseeable future. There aren't many 'jobs for life' like there used to be, but nursing certainly seems like a professional with a bright future.

So, now to the part, you started reading for. We got together with a registered nurse called Amanda and asked her to tell us about her personal development in nursing and what the industry is like today. 

So, Amanda. How did you end up working in animal healthcare? 

My mum was a nurse, so I grew up with deep respect and knowledge of the industry. Back then, however, there were still a lot of differences in how healthcare was delivered. Namely, a lot of the training and education for the role was actually gained on the job.

Mum was a graduate of the hospital-trained nurse system, whereas I went to university. I had a set path to study medicine and did a bachelor of biotechnology first, but as that was ending, I found more interest in working in a nursing home with a majority of elderly dementia patients.

I did a small amount of caring in the community for disabled people while studying for my bachelor's in nursing, and once I was qualified, I began working as a registered nurse in the field of cardiothoracic medicine/surgery. This has always been where my interest lies.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is actually educating my colleagues to enable growth within their own knowledge, interpersonal skills and overall skill set. I enjoy being a preceptor to student nurses and providing patients with education regarding their illnesses. Simply put, I enjoy helping people.

What are the biggest challenges you face?

I feel that healthcare is heading for many significant changes due to our growing ageing population. We see a shift from lifestyle-based illness and preventable diseases to more congenial, more age-related problems. Also, surgeries are becoming less invasive as technology develops. These are progressional changes, which in themselves can be challenging but also refreshing.

What advice would you give to someone joining the healthcare industry?

I advise people wanting to enter health care to be prepared for a dynamic and exciting career. Be sure that it suits you and that you want to stay in it for the long haul. Also, be prepared to embrace change, as the industry invariably does on a regular basis. 

Study Effectively With OCA Short Courses Online Today!

What great insight from Amanda, to whom we're very thankful for taking the time to answer our questions. After reading Amanda's words, suppose you feel that a career within the health profession may be for you. 

In that case, the great news is that gaining the required skills and knowledge is easier and more fun than ever, thanks to our CPD Endorsed, video-based online studying options via a short course in our Allied Health & Wellbeing category. If you want to see what it's like, you can dip your toe in by checking out our student study demo.

We also offer high-quality training for 20+ professional sectors, so you can find something that suits your needs by visiting us at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. There you'll also see details of our flexible payment options and the fact that all of our training comes with 1-to-1 mentoring support. Alternatively, to speak to our team about personal development training, call us on 1300 611 404 or email us at [email protected]. As soon as we receive your enquiry, a team member will get back to you as soon as they can.