From Africa to Australia: there are no limits in a nursing career!
Proof that a career in nursing can take you anywhere in the world, Victoria trained and worked as a Registered Nurse and nurse educator in Sierra Leone, gaining unique experience providing vital healthcare during an Ebola outbreak before continuing her nursing studies in the UK, and then eventually via a scholarship, moving on to Australia.
Born within a small ethnic group in a village in remote northern Sierra Leone and then losing her mother when she was only five years old, Victoria moved to the city to live with and be educated by her aunt. Victoria credits the sacrifices made by her aunt, grandmother and father, and their instillation within her of the importance of education, for the opportunities she has since been afforded.
Victoria’s education journey started as a nursing student at the National School of Nursing, Sierra Leone, which then took her to Njala University, Sierra Leone’s premier science university where she completed a Bachelor of Public Health, and then as a nurse educator in other health institutions in Africa. This led to a sponsorship to study a Master of Science in Advanced Nursing at the University of Nottingham in the UK, from where she then received a scholarship to study at Monash University in the Master of Advanced Nursing (Nursing Education). Due to personal circumstances, Victoria was compelled to stay in Australia and complete her Master of Nursing Practice so she could gain registration to work as a nurse locally.
Victoria decided to specialise in healthcare education. “The Master of Advanced Nursing at Monash helped me actualise my dreams of specialising in nursing education,” she said. “While I had extensive experience in teaching and learning, I thought I knew everything there was to know about nursing until I was shown what nursing is really about at Monash! My decision to study further here was one of the best decisions I ever made”.
As an internationally trained nurse, with extensive educational qualifications to be able to practise as a registered nurse in Australia, Victoria needed to enrol in a more clinically-based program. “The Master of Nursing Practice did not only help my personal development but has enabled me to have professional clinical nursing training experience specific to the Australian health system.”
Studying at Monash was a dream come true for Victoria. “I knew from prior research that at Monash University, I would be encouraged to flourish; there would be opportunities to socialise, study and be challenged,” she said. “I wish I could elaborate, but there are not enough words to highlight all the positive experiences I gained while studying, not least the quality of education I have received. I have benefited from exceptional support from the academic and international student support teams and have met people from all over the world without stepping a foot outside Australia. Plus, Monash provided me with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges I faced as an international self-sponsored student."
Most significantly, Victoria felt at times that she would not be able to achieve her goals. “There were times when I thought that I wouldn’t achieve my goals, purely for financial and socio-cultural reasons, and not due to a lack of academic ability,” she said. “But, my study at Monash has reassured me of the value of the diversity I bring as a team member.”
The skills and knowledge that Victoria gained at Monash have prepared Victoria well for her subsequent role as a Registered Nurse (perioperative nursing; gastroenterology and endoscopy) at Monash Health; Monash Medical Centre. “Today, working in a highly clinical and critical environment, I carry with me lessons learned on how not to be afraid to experience challenges - I can only gain experience through challenges. The ability to juggle study. Part-time work and volunteering at organisations like the City of Monash and Australian Red Cross while also attending on-campus practicals and hospital placements taught me the skills of communication, teamwork, and multitasking.”
Victoria isn’t planning on stopping anytime soon. “Having studied a double postgraduate program at Monash (Master of Advanced Nursing and Master of Nursing Practice), I am convinced of a bright future ahead, “she said. “When I graduated, I could take my pick from a record number of job offers. Not only was the job market in my favour, but I now have more choices than ever. Not only are Monash University nursing degrees in demand, but they are also viewed as a double threat in the job market right away. The value of the diversity I bring to any organisation will also help fuel its creativity and innovation.”
Currently working at Monash Health, Victoria is grateful for the opportunity to gain perioperative work experience and skills, and pursue her passion for preventing healthcare-related infections, particularly surgical site infections. “Healthcare systems worldwide have seen pressure due to healthcare-related infections and surgical site infections, which can cripple systems while having devastating psychosocial impacts and experiences on patients and communities,” she said. “These experiences have challenged me to innovate and develop and practise characteristics common to innovative leaders - being future-facing, aiming for mountains through small, calculated steps, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and motivating and inspiring by example.”
Victoria also offers a key piece of advice for future students. “As nurses, while our holistic education will always be of value, we still need common sense, listening skills, and above all, mutual respect; this is a winning formula, she said. “With these items in our toolbox, we are bound to go far, so let us cherish them like old familiar friends.”
Relationships are also key. “I have come this far by perfecting the art of forming personal relationships,” she said. “Therefore, I challenge nursing students to make your mark and a positive difference in our world, respect the network of people working with you, and become models for the leaders of tomorrow. Use your passion, values, and inspiration to lead you.”
About Monash University
Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation.
With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy, it is one of the most internationalised Australian universities.
As a leading international medical research university with the largest medical faculty in Australia and integration with leading Australian teaching hospitals, we consistently rank in the top 50 universities worldwide for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.
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