Steven finds his true calling at Mater

After years of working in different industries, Steven Flanagan has found his niche at Mater Private Hospital Townsville.

The 29-year-old studied a Diploma of Nursing through Mater Education, graduating in December last year as an Enrolled Nurse. Steven is now working in the Perioperative ward and is loving his new career.

"I've travelled around a lot and worked as a labourer, security guard, bodyguard, miner and a disability support care worker but I was looking for something more fulfilling," Steven said.

"I've always had an interest in health and helping people, so I decided to do the Diploma of Nursing when my partner said she was going to give it a go. 

"We ended up liking it a lot more than we thought we would!

"It's taken me quite a while to find something I like."

Steven landed a job in the graduate program at Mater Private Hospital Townsville earlier this year and said he's learning a lot every day.  

"I'm now an anaesthetic nurse and I work in recovery - I am really enjoying the job and the team is great," he said. 

The father of one said he'd highly recommend anyone with a desire to become a nurse to try it out. 

"Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing was very in depth and it had so much to offer," he said. 

"Anyone I meet who is interested in healthcare, I tell them what I've done and that it's a great career. It's all about being willing to give it a go.

"There's lots of progression and opportunities in nursing, too."

Mater Education's next Diploma of Nursing intake is in July. Applications are now open: https://www.matereducation.qld.edu.au/career-entry-qualifications/diploma-of-nursing

Find out more at the Townsville Open Day this Saturday 28 May at Mater Private Hospital Townsville from 9.30am-12.30pm.  Talk to educators, tour the facility and get involved in a simulation.