Natalie completed her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2009 and has been working as one of the diabetes-specialist Dietitians within the Hunter New England Local Health District since 2011.

“I love helping others and working as a part of a team, but felt it was time to move away from the clinical space and start building my leadership and management skills,” Natalie said.

Making the decision to take on more leadership focused roles in 2021, while on maternity leave with two young children at home, Natalie applied for the Graduate Certificate in Health Economics, Management and Policy at the University of Newcastle

“I made the spontaneous and courageous decision to ‘just do it’, without really understanding how I was going to find the time or even if I had the ability to undertake university-level learning again,” she said.

Returning to work with additional qualifications helped Natalie thrive in her senior role while still developing her leadership opportunities.

“Without the flexibility of online study, recorded lectures, discussion boards and  understanding course coordinators, the program would have been impossible for me to complete,” Natalie said.

With a passion for helping people, Natalie saw this opportunity as a great next step for her career and team.

“I have a passion for people management and creating a positive work environment for the team in which I work. The health system is undergoing significant reform and I wanted to gain a better understanding of how this impacts me.

“The courses provide an insight into the fundamental concepts of management in the healthcare environment, including leadership, economics and finance, policy and regulated competition in health insurance markets, and provides a steppingstone for career progression, giving you the option to go on and complete the master's program later,” Natalie said.

Natalie encourages others wanting to take their career further to pursue study, especially working mums.

“Make sure you are motivated enough to stay organised across the trimester, stick to your time availabilities across the week, and know your support systems. I hope my story can empower other time-poor, working Mums who are thinking about post-graduate study to just do it”.

Find out more about the Master of Health Economics, Management and Policy.

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Natalie Gilbertson

Natalie Gilbertson is a working mum who wanted to progress her career in the health industry. Read her story to find out how she succeeded.

I have a passion for people management and creating a positive work environment for the team in which I work. The health system is undergoing significant reform and I wanted to gain a better understanding of how this impacts me.