Sally-ann shapes new generation of nurses

Sally-ann Dickson started out her career in logistics with the Royal Australian Air Force. Just over 30 years later she's teaching a new generation of nurses through Mater Education.

The mum of two grew up in New Zealand and moved to Australia in her teens before joining the RAAF. She moved to Adelaide, completed a deployment in the Middle East and then worked in the public service.

But Sally-ann knew she had to listen to her inner voice to pursue nursing. 

"I always wanted to be a nurse after I gave birth to my first son," she said.

So, she started her Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2012 at James Cook University in Townsville while raising her sons. She accepted a graduate position as a registered nurse on the medical ward at Mater before taking up a role at the Townsville Hospital. 

But, an opportunity to join the team at Mater Education team saw Sally-ann take up a role as a nurse educator in February this year. An opportunity she's glad she grabbed with both hands.

"I have always loved to teach students on placements on the wards and teaching was always something that was in the back of my mind," she said.

"I am very passionate about teaching our future nurses and colleagues - I love their faces when they understand something, or they come up to me and say I totally get what you were saying.

"It’s like the penny drops and they have that light bulb moment, it gives me such joy. 

"The team here are just amazing, they are caring and thoughtful to staff and students and it makes a real difference in the workplace."

Sally-ann has an integral role to play in shaping new nurses.

"My current role is teaching semester one students, so I feel that I am their first interaction with the Diploma, and I am able to set the scene for the remainder of their studies and give them a real introduction into nursing as a career," she said.

"I hope to stay in teaching for the remainder of my career as I feel I have a lot to offer not just in the world of nursing but as an individual."

You can learn from experts like Sally-ann through Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing. 

Apply now to start studying in July and become a nurse in just 18 months: https://mater.li/ApplyForDoN

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