Budding nurse receives top nursing honour at graduation
Jeanie Cartwright never imagined that her father’s critical illness would propel her into a new profession.
However, this experience ignited her passion for nursing, inspiring her to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing at the 51²è¹Ý (UniSQ).
Now a recent graduate, Ms. Cartwright is dedicating her life to making a difference through compassionate patient care, a commitment made even more rewarding by receiving the Croker Centaur Silver Medal Award for her outstanding academic achievements.
Jeanie recently sat down with us to reflect on the hard work that has brought her to this moment and share her vision for the future of nursing.
Congratulations on your recent graduation! Take us back to the beginning and tell us why you chose to pursue studies in Nursing?
My call to nursing came later in life, when, in 2020 my father became critically unwell. I spent many days, for months on end, visiting him in hospital and it was through this experience that I witnessed the difference a great nurse can make in their patients’ life. When patients are confined to a hospital bed with only the same four walls to look at, the difference a genuine smile or a caring touch can make is immeasurable. It was in these moments that I committed to becoming the type of nurse that I would want to look after my family if they were ever in need.
You were also awarded the Joy Croker Centaur Silver Medal Award. What does this accolade mean to you?
Understanding the award is given to encourage and acknowledge academic achievement to new graduates, this award confirms to me that through hard work and determination, anything is achievable. Knowing that my reasons for becoming a nurse were to give back to the profession that gave so much to my family, by becoming the very best nurse I could be, this award serves to reassure me I am on the right path and have found my calling. It also encourages me to persevere even when the road seems rocky, because with dedication, anyone can achieve what they set out to do.
What do you hope to do now that you have graduated?
Having already embarked on my graduate year at Ipswich Hospital I hope to further my clinical knowledge and skills over the coming months. There is so much consolidation needed once we embark on our journeys as novice registered nurses and I am so excited to lean into that. I have a zest for learning and see myself embarking on post graduate studies in the future, I envision following a path of clinical education so that one day I can share all that I have learnt with the next generation of aspiring registered nurses.
What is your advice to students thinking about studying nursing?
Remember your reasons for pursuing nursing, then when things get difficult it becomes easier to persevere. With our ageing population in this country, it has never been more important to find and retain great nurses, it is so important. Trust yourselves that you can achieve this degree and go on to thrive in nursing. I implore you to lean into every opportunity afforded to you along the way and by doing so you will succeed. Enjoy the growth that comes with studying at university you will hardly recognise yourselves in a few short years.
Learn more about nursing at UniSQ.
