Since the University of Tasmania expanded its Bachelor of Nursing to the Cradle Coast campus Field Building in Burnie, 76 students have graduated from the degree, and Cleo Gower is among them. Another 54 will graduate in April this year.
The new, purpose-built facilities at West Park in Burnie have allowed more courses to be offered locally, and more students to further their studies without having to leave home.
For Cleo, this helped put a long-held dream to become a nurse within her reach.
“The ability to attend the Cradle Coast campus and have access to the Bachelor of Nursing degree on the North-West Coast has enabled me to fulfil a dream whilst having a positive work/life/study experience, instead of having to complete my studies away from my support network and the hardships that would have occurred alongside this,” Cleo said.
“The degree provided me with best practice evidenced-based knowledge so I may continue to care for a community that I know and love.”
Since graduating last year, Cleo has been working as a Registered Nurse at the North-West Regional Hospital in Burnie on the Medical Ward, at the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) and in Med C.
In addition to that position, Cleo will this month start as a Cardiac Cath Lab nurse at the North-West Private Hospital – a type of healthcare specialist who cares for cardiac patients.
Outside of her time on the wards, Cleo is also now undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Cardiovascular), and in April, she will help students who have embarked on their university journey in the region by sharing her lived experience.
Cleo will be a panelist at an upcoming Career Conversations event being held at the Cradle Coast campus.
It’s part of a program facilitated by the University of Tasmania’s Alumni Office that connects current students with a global community of its graduates.
“Career Conversations is our event-based alumni-to-student mentoring program where we invite alumni to share their unique career and life-building tips with current students,” Alumni Relations Associate Director Rob Blandford said.
The event will take on a tri-mentoring format bringing together students, recent graduates, and career-established alumni like Cleo to help create a dynamic experience.
“It will be fast-moving and fun, providing a real-world opportunity for connections, conversations, and learning in a vibrant atmosphere.
“All alumni have a story – and these stories can greatly benefit younger people in their journeys by providing inspiration, by shining a light on previously unknown opportunities, or by opening doors in their own organisation for a fellow University of Tasmania alum.
“We’ll facilitate the conversation, a bit like speed-networking, exploring the knowledge, experience, fears, opportunities and solutions which those attending can offer. We hope the mentoring will flow in all directions, with each group being able to learn something from the other.”
The Career Conversations tri-mentoring event will be held on Wednesday, 9 April at 5.15pm inside the Cradle Coast campus Field Building at West Park.
Current students and University of Tasmania Alumni interested in being involved can register by emailing: alumni.office@utas.edu.au