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Alison Arnott
Bachelor of Nursing
A two-week placement in Vanuatu earlier this year has given Alison Arnott, who is studying for a nursing degree, a sense of direction.
“We got to work in a little rural clinic where we had more opportunity and time to talk with the patients than a hospital nurse usually does. People spoke some English so we could communicate. We also learned so much from the local nurses who work with such limited resources," says Alison.
“It was absolutely fantastic and amazing for me to be able to do something like that through university.” Alison saw several babies born during her visit and decided to specialise in midwifery as a result.
The 28-year-old former graphic designer left her previous job to study nursing because she says: "I got sick of working with computers and technology. I wanted a job that was more hands on. I love working with people from all walks of life, to do something that matters."
Since nursing has been elevated to a profession, requiring university qualifications, Alison says training has changed dramatically. "While you still learn a lot on the ward, it's not all about doing domestic chores any more. At university you gain diverse and valuable knowledge about the background physiology and anatomy you need to understand why you give certain drugs and their effects."
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