USC graduate Lauren Nesbitt has found a job in Toowoomba that really gets her heart racing.

Lauren, 22, started work for the Queensland Ambulance Service in January after completing a Bachelor of Paramedic Science at USC last year.

She said the knowledge and skills she developed as a student were being put to good use in the ‘Garden City’.

“I really enjoy being out and about in the community and helping people in their most genuine times of need,” she said. “The high acuity cases really get your heart racing.

“Since January I have been working full time in Toowoomba as a graduate paramedic. After twelve months of successful supervised practice it should lead to an offer of a permanent position as an Advanced Care Paramedic.”

Lauren, who hails from the seaside town of Nelson Bay in NSW, took time out from her busy schedule to celebrate her study success at USC’s graduation ceremony on 17 April.

She said her degree made her “road ready” for her work as a QAS graduate paramedic in Toowoomba.

“The lecturers and tutors were very approachable and had a wealth of real-life on road experiences to share,” she said.

“I enjoyed the small class sizes at USC with lots of time for hands-on practice and access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology with plenty of opportunity to hone our skills.

“I chose to study at USC because it was one of the smaller, more student-focused universities. Also I knew I’d have to move away from home to study regardless, so the beautiful Sunshine Coast location was also a huge selling point.”

In the future, Lauren plans to upgrade her qualifications with further study to become a Critical Care Paramedic and her long-term goal is to work in the aeromedical field as a flight paramedic.

Applications are now open to start studying at USC mid-year. For more information visit usc.edu.au/midyear or contact USC at information@usc.edu.au or 5430 2890.

Photo supplied by Silver Rose Photography.

— Jane Cameron