Gladstone's Mary Kelly (pictured left) used the springboard of CQU's WIST (Women Into Science and Techology) program to help achieve her goal of becoming a registered nurse and she is now eyeing a midwifery career.

Ms Kelly was a mature-age entrant to tertiary study but found that academic staff gave her ample support to complete her Bachelor of Health (Nursing) degree and secure a hospital job.

She hopes to pursue midwifery qualifications once she has had time to develop her nursing skills.

Ms Kelly was recently awarded with the Royal College of Nursing Australia High Achiever Award for outstanding performance and commitment to the profession during the course of her studies in nursing at CQU Rockhampton.

The award was presented by Head of the School of Nursing and Health Studies Dr Lorna Moxham (pictured right).