For Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice) student Kathleen, being the first in her family to attend university was an accomplishment within itself. But returning to the University of Newcastle to complete postgraduate studies while also finding her feet as a first-time mother was a feat that’s on a whole other level.

“I completed my Bachelor of Nursing in 2010 and have worked as a Registered Nurse in Critical Care for the last seven years. I recently completed a secondment as a Clinical Nurse Educator and loved it, so I decided to undertake postgraduate studies to assist with my career progression.

“As of this year I’m a new mum which adds a whole new challenge of study, work and life balance.

“I was drawn to this program because it’s broad in terms of specialty and its online delivery – meaning I can study at my own pace.

“Juggling study, work and home life is constant. I have been able to study during my transition into a new role at work, through pregnancy and the birth of my son. The flexibility of the course and being able to complete it online has definitely supported this.

“I find making a plan for study and life really helps. I write lots of lists and reward myself when I complete work,” said Kathleen.

Even though she’s been working in the industry for almost a decade, Kathleen doesn’t plan on limiting her career early on and hopes to use her postgraduate degree to expand her career in the future.

“This program has already advanced my clinical knowledge and helped me develop new skills in creating education plans and implementing clinical and whole of hospital change activities.

“I hope to utilise this degree to take my career in new directions whether that’s in management, education, clinical nursing or even research,” added Kathleen.

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Kathleen McKinley `

Kathleen McKinley

Kathleen plans to use her postgraduate degree to expand her career in the future.

I was drawn to this program because it’s broad in terms of specialty and its online delivery – meaning I can study at my own pace.

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