For most of us,
dealing with people who are suffering
from heart attacks, snakes bites,
substance abuse issues or lacerations
on a regular basis would feel like an
impossible task.
However, for USQ graduate Laura
Wilson, these things are all in a day’s
work as a rural nurse in Cunnamulla,
an outback Queensland town situated
804kms south-west from Brisbane.
WORDS: NAOMI MATTHEWS – USQ Alumni
IMAGES: USQ PHOTOGRAPHY
With a population of around 1500 people, Laura is one of only 10 nurses working
within the close-knit community at the town’s only hospital.
Laura says she chose the field of nursing for a number of reasons, and believes the
style of learning she enjoyed at the USQ Toowoomba campus was perfectly suited to
her and her career goals.
‘My mum is a nurse and I really like to talk to and help people.
‘Also, I’m a real people person and I like to travel, so I could travel and work in
nursing anywhere in Australia or overseas.
Every day is different. You have to
keep a positive attitude and take every
opportunity thrown your way.
‘I loved studying at USQ—it was a great opportunity and I learned a lot from it,
mostly about the clinical aspects because everything was so hands on.’
Laura also credits her time at university with helping to enhance a number of skills
that have been essential in both her personal and professional life.
‘Time management and multi-tasking are key.
‘I was able to organise my classes so I was only at university two to three days a
week, and that enabled me to also work two or three jobs while I was studying.
‘There were a lot of times when I would finish at uni, go and do a night shift, and
then come back to USQ the next day with a break in between.’
Laura says the experience and knowledge she gained from working and studying
simultaneously was invaluable.
‘I found it important to get involved in my chosen career straight away.
‘It made me more passionate and I was able to relate the work back to my studies.’
After graduating in 2012, Laura took part in a 12-month graduate program in
Cunnamulla. She was offered a permanent position in Cunnamulla after the program
and is now working full-time in a profession she loves and is passionate about.