Healing hands - Sarah upskills to become a future wound care specialist
While working in aged care, registered nurse Sarah McCrystal observed the susceptibility of her patients' fragile skin to avoidable wounds that often worsened over time, with no effective treatment plans in place. Knowing that her patients were suffering and often seeing the overprescription of antibiotics for wounds that weren't infected, as well as wounds that lacked an official diagnosis as no one conducted appropriate assessments, Sarah believed that the healthcare system could do a lot better to lift standards and improve care for her vulnerable elderly patients.
Propelled by the outcomes of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and inspired to “be like” her mentor - pioneering Nurse Practitioner and wound care educator Margo Asimus - Sarah took the opportunity to upskill and specialise by enrolling in the Master of Wound Care at Monash.
So far, she is thoroughly enjoying the learning opportunities afforded by the course. “Our assignments encourage us to consider the patient holistically, to determine not only an accurate diagnosis, but their healing ability, which is very important in determining the correct course of treatment,” Sarah said. “There are so many factors that need to be considered, and more dressing supplies available than you can shake a stick at, it can be overwhelming. The course teaches you where to look and which sources to trust.”
Sarah has continued to work 32 hours a week while studying one subject a semester, taking the course slowly over six years. She's found this approach the best way to maintain her work-life balance while allowing her to acquire and integrate her new-found knowledge at her own pace. In the near future, she aspires to work as a wound consultant and eventually specialise as a wound Clinical Nurse Consultant.
Sarah strongly encourages future students to study wound care. “I’ve always said that wound care is niche but necessary!” she said. “There are too few people with the specialist knowledge required, and it’s rewarding to provide care that reduces suffering and promotes healing and recovery. It’s been a challenge, but I’ve always felt heard, supported and encouraged to get the most out of my learning.”
The Australian College of Nursing is currently administering wound care scholarships on behalf of the Australian Government and the Department of Health and Aged Care. These scholarships equip you with the skills to accelerate healing and prevent the costly medical complications associated with chronic wounds. Find out more about the scholarships and apply now.
Find out about studying Wound Care at Monash.
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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