17 October 2022
A former dance teacher and a young woman hoping to follow in the footsteps of her godmother were amongst the latest class of Enrolled Nurses to complete their studies with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC).
After completing a demanding 18-month course, 19 diverse graduates were recognised at an acknowledgement ceremony at the ANMF (SA Branch) headquarters last week.
Debra Griffiths was a dance teacher for 37 years before pursuing a career in nursing.
She said watching a team of intensive care nurses care for her newborn son at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital decades earlier had inspired the dramatic job change.
Debra described the ANMEC course as both exciting and enjoyable and was looking forward to incorporating some of her old life into the new.
“Even on placement I have been doing dancing, so I am a going to be a dancing nurse, there is no doubt about it, and it makes people laugh,” she said.
Jenifer Moldovan said she decided to tackle the course after a conversation with her nursing godmother Maria Radu.
She is now planning to train as a Registered Nurse in February.
“I don’t think I would have done it without her, she has been there every day for encouragement and support,” Jennifer said.
Maria said she had no hesitation endorsing nursing to Jennifer and is hopes they can one day work together.
“What makes nursing so good is how many branches there are from EN and once you get to RN there are multiple branches you can spread out into,” Maria said.
“The opportunities are endless. You cannot go wrong, you have got rural, remote, community, residential or aged care.”
Rebekah Skey spent three years working in aged care before aspiring to become an EN.
“It has gone so fast with all the challenges including COVID-19 but I feel like ANMEC has really covered the unit really well, all the support has been amazing and I really enjoyed it,” Rebekah said.
“I feel very prepared, I feel we have learned all the skills we need to be able to succeed. We (the class) also have that compassion, the want to help everyone, our patients and make a difference in people’s lives.”
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said it was an exciting time for the class.
“There are so many opportunities in nursing and midwifery - do not confine yourself to one area, be open about what your future may hold,” she said at last week’s ceremony.
“We are authors of our own future and we can create our own pathways.”
Ms Dabars also had some simple advice for the graduates.
“Nursing should always be about putting the person in our care first, putting that person at the core of all that we do,” she said.
“What we are there to do is to support them, to make sure their movement through the system is a positive and pleasant one and one that achieves the best outcome for them and for the broader community.”
For more information on ANMEC’s Diploma of Nursing click
here.