Nepal trip to become reality, thanks to scholarship
Published on 16 May, 2013
Geena Lawn knew she wanted to be a nurse from a young age and her dedication to the health profession is evident as she juggles a part-time job at an Aged Care Facility while studying a Bachelor of Nursing degree at CQUniversity Mackay...
The recent winner of a Rotary Club of Mackay North scholarship, Geena is half-way through her degree and says placement is the best part of each term.
Geena Lawn is presented with her award from Professor Pierre Viljoen. "Apart from the satisfaction I get from learning new skills and expanding my knowledge about theory topics, I love placements," she says.
"Nothing beats getting on the wards and putting your knowledge and skills into practice. You get to experience 'real' nursing first hand and the registered nurses who facilitate our learning at placement are so informative and pleasant to work with."
While Geena says it can be an eye-opening experience, there's nothing more rewarding.
"Placement is challenging because you are caring for ill and vulnerable patients and this can be very daunting at first because you only want to provide the best possible care ever, but this fear does leave and nursing becomes a natural process by the end of our time at the hospital and you begin to feel like you are a part of the team."
Having been involved in voluntary community work from an early age, Geena says she cannot wait to take part in CQUniversity's annual nursing volunteer program in Nepal in November this year.
"This is a great opportunity to see how different nursing is from a rich country like Australia compared to Nepal. I get the chance to oversee the nursing process in-place overseas and work with fantastic nurses and doctors and care for the local Nepalese community members."
Geena says thanks to the Mackay Rotary Club North scholarship, her dream can become reality.
"Without winning this scholarship my trip would not have happened. I am so grateful for being selected as a recipient of the Rotary Club of Mackay North scholarship."
LINK here to find out more about the Bachelor of Nursing program