MOUNT Gambier nursing students have celebrated a milestone achievement, reaching their final day of study before graduation.
The University of South Australia Mount Gambier campus recognised 20 nursing graduates on Monday with a morning tea.
“We are here to celebrate the journey they have been on over the last three years,” Bachelor of Nursing lecturer Doctor Julie Reis told The Border Watch on Monday.
“We host an event each year for graduates to acknowledge student achievements with a high tea themed event this year.
“I look forward to seeing them grow and succeed even further than they already have.”
The campus has been transformed into a state of the art facility since being established in 2005.
Construction started on the campus in early 2015 as part of the push to improve student learning facilities in the areas of nursing, social work, education, business and foundation studies.
“From when we first started to operate out of the TAFE building, there have been many changes from the physical building to the teaching involved,” Dr Reis said.
“Nursing changes fast, so we are always updating our criteria to teach the best practice for our students.
“Previously students would attend video-conferences to the Whyalla campus, but now we operate on a flipped classroom system where students are expected to do their readings before they come to class and then participate in interactive tutorials.”
The campus is privileged to have a replica Royal Adelaide Hospital simulation room designed to provide students with training before working in the “real world”.
“We have the unique learning facility of the Horizon Hospital and Health Service,” Dr Reis said.
“When students are doing their practical placement, they are in the hospital undertaking a shift in full uniform as they would be expected in the real world.
“Behind the hospital we have a virtual community so the patients have a background that needs to be taken into context.”
All equipment involved is modern and similar to what is used within hospitals around Australia.
“The students are quite familiar with everything when they go out on their practical components,” Dr Reis said.
“We pride ourselves on that.
“We used to joke that we were the only operating Royal Adelaide Hospital room before the hospital was actually opened.”
Students have flourished during their study and secured job opportunities.
“It is great to see that everyone that has applied for a job has secured a job,” Dr Reis said.
“I hope the students that have secured a position elsewhere have every success and will come back and visit each time they are in town.
“I have taught some of them in their very first class and now their last class.”
UniSA Mount Gambier Campus nursing student Melissa Chuck went on to add details of her personal experience at the facility.
“By studying in Mount Gambier, we have been able to develop really strong relationships with one another, including the teachers and our fellow peers,” Ms Chuck said.
“We have really used each other as backbones throughout it all and when someone needs something someone will be there for them.
“A highlight for me included the eight week placement at Glenside Hospital, which was really eye-opening and I would not have been able to do it without UniSA.”
Fellow UniSA Mount Gambier Campus nursing student Belinda Myers praised the way the campus team integrates students into a community.
“I started in 2016, but had some health issues and tried to work through them,” Ms Myers said.
“I had to defer as I was not able to come and do the practical component in the laboratory like everyone else.
“I have enjoyed (the course) so much and landed myself in a job I would never have dreamed about.”
