Juliana Gunardi’s journey to becoming a nurse is a story of resilience, passion, and empathy.
In January 2023, she packed up her life in Western Australia and moved to Launceston with her two youngest daughters to pursue studies in Nursing at the University of Tasmania.
She first discovered the University through a lecturer who had shared information about Hobart’s Korongee Dementia Village, the first of its kind in Australia.
Nursing, however, was not Juliana's first career. She had previously studied Business and Hotel Management in Western Australia, and her career took her to the top hotels around the world, including the Shangri-La in Singapore where she served as a Guest Relations Officer.
In that high-pressure role, she catered to the vast needs of VIPs and handled complaints with grace and patience—skills that she noted were surprisingly transferable to nursing.
"Service with a smile," she said, "whether it’s my client, my guest, or my patient."
Despite her success in hospitality, Juliana felt something was missing. She realised that nursing was not just a career shift, but her passion. Nevertheless, pursuing this new path later in life came with challenges.
Juliana was undeterred by the lack of support she received with her decision to become a nurse. Winning a scholarship to study at the University provided her with the validation that she was on the right path.
“The recognition meant everything," she explained. "I’m doing this to show my children a better tomorrow."
Nursing allowed her to fulfil her desire to care for others and give back to the community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was further solidified when her father became ill.
"My dad was my first patient," she recalled. Her studies taught her the skills she needed to help look after him.
Juliana was recently diagnosed with ADHD, which has encouraged her to find the study method that works best for her. She has also leaned heavily on the University’s resources, like the Learning Lab, to overcome academic challenges and learn a new way of learning since she was last a student.
Returning to uni as a mature aged student has allowed Juliana to learn in the context of her life experience.
“I don’t regret studying now,” she said. “I can be a better nurse because of what I have experienced.”
Juliana’s studies have tested her resilience. Her first nursing placement was in palliative care, right after her late father’s passing. Although it was an emotionally challenging experience, it helped her come to terms with her loss and reaffirmed her belief in treating every patient with dignity.
She’s not only paving the way for her own future but also inspiring her children to follow in her footsteps. One of her daughters has already expressed a desire to become a nurse, inspired by her mother’s journey. “That makes it all worth it,” she said.