When her father fell ill, Isobel Leach watched on as nurses provided him care and comfort.
Now more than a decade later, and with the memory still firmly in her mind, Isobel has completed a Bachelor of Nursing through the University of Southern Queensland and has successfully applied for a rural graduate nursing role through Queensland Health.
Having grown up in Roma, the position will see Isobel return to the south west.
“I was very excited when I heard about the offer,” she said.
“My interest has always been in rural nursing, so when I heard the 12-month position would be based in Roma, I was over the moon.
“My favourite thing about rural living is the connections you make – it’s really nice to see the same faces and feel the sense of community.”
For Ms Leach, the decision to enter nursing was inspired by family.
“My mum’s dad was a vascular surgeon, and her mum was a nurse – so I grew up listening to all of the stories,” she said.
“Also, when I was around 10 years old, my dad was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“He never used to like going to the hospital, but the way the nurses treated him, while keeping us in the loop, it was a full 360 for him.
“They made a real impact on his life – and it was at that point that I thought that’s something I would like to do.”
She was presented with her degree at the December graduation ceremonies, as her mum University of Southern Queensland Associate Dean of Teaching, Learning and Student Success Tania Leach, dad and brothers watched on.
“My mum’s excited for me, every time she brings up the new position she tears up – it’s sweet,” Isobel said.
“I really enjoyed my time at the university, all of the staff were great and I always had all of my questions answered.
“I am now looking forward to my next adventure.”
Isobel will start her new graduate role in February.
Have a passion for healthcare? With a combination of nursing courses and clinical simulation in our well-resourced labs and nursing wards, the University of Southern Queensland’s Bachelor of Nursing prepares you for practice as a registered nurse in hospitals, community settings, mental health settings, GP practices, clinics, rural and remote health services and aged care facilities across Australia and the world.
