Coming full circle back to nursing

Paddington mother Caylie Jeffery was 19 years old when she first studied nursing, following in the footsteps of her mother and great-aunt. 

“I was young, neurodiverse and found nursing provided me with a sense of structure and was the perfect setting for me to learn all about human nature,” she said. 

“I absolutely loved it. I loved the people and the patients, and I experienced so much in those years.” 

After 10 years working in hospital wards, Caylie left the nursing profession to pursue her other passions–writing and history. 

After spending 26 years writing books, educating and counselling, Caylie has come full circle and is studying a Diploma of Nursing to re-enter the healthcare sector. 

“My muscle memory of how to do vital signs and how to take histories from patients is all second nature for me,” she said. 

“The biggest joy in this course is working with the younger students, watching them learn and flourish and being their colleague.” 

Caylie chose to return to study nursing with Mater Education because it offered hands-on, hospital-based training. 

“I was originally hospital-trained at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and it’s really important to me to learn in a hospital environment,” she said. 

But she also has a strong personal connection to Mater. 

“My husband was born at Mater, my mum worked here as a midwife and I feel a sense of place at Mater,” she said. 

Caylie has already completed placement and relished returning to a clinical environment. 

“I’m still as fresh at the end of my shift as when I start,” she said. 

“I love hearing what patients have to say and hear their stories. When you listen to your patients, you find out so many things relevant to their care.”  

Caylie said she has a new appreciation for the role that nurses play in people’s lives. 

“Nurses are there in the most difficult times, and when you realise that you have the ability to affect people's lives for the better, then that becomes your purpose,” she said. 

“If you have any empathy in your body, if you’ve been a nurse before like me, take the opportunity now and finish your career in nursing,” she said. 

“For those who are changing careers, you will already have 50 per cent of the skills to do this job, the rest you will learn along the way.  

“Just do it!”