Associate Professor of Nursing retires after 41 years of nursing education

Last Friday was a bittersweet day of work for Associate Professor of Nursing at USQ Roslyn Reilly as she finished her last day at USQ after 41 years in nursing education.

Associate Professor Reilly helped set up USQ’s first bachelor of nursing in 1988 (the first batch of nursing students would arrive in 1990) after previously spending 19 years at Toowoomba Hospital’s School of Nursing.

“I absolutely enjoyed my time at the university but I certainly faced some challenges along the way,” Assoc Prof Reilly said.

“There were a lot of people who believed nursing shouldn’t be taught in tertiary education but I’m really proud of how the program turned out.

“We have a nursing education program we can be proud of and our graduates are very well-regarded.”

Assoc Prof Reilly said she would miss the staff, students and friends at the university.

‘I’ll really miss seeing the students blossom and seeing their growth in confidence and skills over their education,’ she said.

‘That said, I’m looking forward to seeing what life will bring me after I leave.’

Former Dean of the School of Information Technology and Sciences Jim Hann worked with Assoc Prof Reilly from 1985 to 1990 when USQ was preparing to introduce nursing courses and praised Assoc Prof Reilly at her farewell party.

‘Those of you who know Ros know what a lovely personality she has,’ Dr Hann said.

‘She was absolutely delightful to work with and had considerable knowledge and experience in the education of nurses, though she was always very humble about her background.

‘She was a dedicated and hard-working professional and her network in the profession in Queensland was invaluable to the university.

‘Ros made an enormous contribution to her profession and the university, and she can be forever very proud of this remarkable achievement.’

Associate Professor Reilly said she would never forget her time at Toowoomba Hospital and USQ.

‘Once a nurse, always a nurse,’ she joked.

Contact Details:

Callum Johnson, USQ Media, (07) 4631 1163