A Hervey Bay mother, whose daughter has undergone two open heart surgeries in the first two years of her life, is using a free USC university skills course as the first step towards a career as a paediatric nurse.

Georgina Green said she had no desire to become a nurse until the family’s emotional medical journey with two-year-old Alba, who was born with a serious heart condition.

Sitting by her daughter’s side as specialist nurses from the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Brisbane closely monitored and cared for Alba following the high-risk procedures, Georgina decided that a career in paediatric health was her calling.

“After coming home from Alba’s second surgery recently, I started the process of making that dream a reality,” said Georgina, who this week completed a two-day University Skills for You course at USC’s Fraser Coast campus.

“The course has given me confidence in myself and shown that it’s okay to start university later in life,” she said.

“I graduated from Xavier Catholic College 11 years ago, so I wanted help to get back into the structure and routine of studying and assignments so it wouldn’t be so overwhelming when I start my degree.” 

USC runs the University Skills for You course across its campuses before each semester as a free, no-obligation taste of the uni experience for people who did not finish high school and others who may not have formally studied for many years.

The focus is on upgrading academic skills and helping adults approach tertiary education with confidence, regardless of their age or educational level.

The course is facilitated by experienced USC advisers, who introduce participants to some of the essential tools needed to tackle tertiary-level study, including academic writing and researching.

More details here.