CQU Bundaberg first-year nursing student James Ukena has won a $100 merit award for his essay submitted to the Queensland Cancer Fund's Alf Kretschmar Award.

Invited to submit an essay about 'Caring for the Cancer Patient - A Positive Experience', James wrote about the inspirations for his nursing career and his interest in helping cancer patients.

"My job ... is to make that difficult therapeutic journey less traumatic and support them in every opportunity to keep on living their lives," he writes.

"I must remember that while the cancer patient is receiving therapy, even long term, there is a life before, during and hopefully after cancer that defines the sum of their existence.

"With that in mind, it may be easier for both patient and nurse to achieve the health status goals that would satisfy them both."