OSCAR Wills of Telegraph Point says a scholarship was invaluable in bringing him peace of mind when studying for his Bachelor of Nursing.
Oscar graduated from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences during a ceremony in Port Macquarie on 14 May.
The Yindyamarra Scholarship he received is one of several awarded to First Nations students from rural and regional NSW who have a desire to work in areas of benefit to the Koori community.
They were established in 2001 by Roger and Jean Morrow to support final-year students in education, nursing or health-related fields.
“Without this assistance, balancing work, academic commitments and placement expenses would have been significantly more challenging,” Oscar said.
Mr Morrow attended Oscar’s graduation and said it was great to see him successfully fulfil his study ambitions.
“He is already employed at the hospital in Kempsey, and his future lies ahead of him,” he said.
Oscar’s family is from Warren in Wiradjuri Country, Central West NSW.
His father is a builder and his mother has owned and operated several businesses.
He said he received a “high-quality education at a large school in Port Macquarie” before deciding to pursue a degree alongside several family members.
“My nieces, sister-in-law and several cousins have studied to become nurses and love the job, and I have been told I have a gentle nature and kind personality that lends itself to the healthcare field.
“I hope that one day I am in a position where I can support students in the same way.”
Balancing academic study, work commitments and placements was not without its challenges.
“I couldn’t spend as much time with family and friends as I wanted [and] this distance sometimes led to feelings of isolation and stress.”
However, he said it now feels “amazing” to have graduated and recommends to others to “go for it”.
“The time and emotional commitment may seem daunting at first, but when you study in a field that you are genuinely passionate about, you are gaining relevant expertise and enhancing your professional and personal life.”
Oscar intends to experience all nursing has to offer, before settling on a specialty field.
By Sue STEPHENSON
