Nursing Careers
Samantha Snow
"My Story I am from a small town on the coast of NSW called Urunga. My people are from a beautiful outback town called Brewarrina. I studied at the University of New England in Armidale and I'm now working at Royal Prince Alfred hospital in the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery unit.
I wanted to be a nurse because I always admired the work that nurses did as I was growing up visiting relatives in hospital. I thought nurses were so kind but so smart and tough when they needed to be. Although my job is challenging in so many ways, I love it because I get to meet so many different people every day. I can hear their stories and help them get through what is often the most difficult part of their lives.
Having Aboriginal people working in healthcare is so much more important than I ever thought. I have fairer skin than everyone in my family so it's not obvious that I am Aboriginal. However, when I tell my Aboriginal patients where I'm from and where my people are from, they feel so much more comfortable and at home just knowing that we're in this crazy system together."
There has never been a better time to become a nurse or midwife. Aboriginal nurses are in great demand in all areas of nursing and midwifery. Whatever area you decide to follow, you will make a positive contribution to the health of your family, your friends and your community.
At Sydney Local Health District we offer Aboriginal people four entry points to a career in nursing and midwifery.
- Trainee Assistant in Nursing
This entry point offers a traineeship where recruits undertake on the job experience whilst completing the Certificate III Assistant in Nursing. We meet all costs of the course as well as provide support to help you successfully complete the Certificate.
- Assistant in Nursing
We mentor all of our Aboriginal Assistant's in Nursing. As well we provide information and help them to apply and complete the Enrolled Nurse Program and Midwifery.
- Nursing Cadetship
The cadetship supports Aboriginal people to undertake full time under graduate study in nursing or midwifery at an Australian university. The cadetship meets all course fees as well as a small allowance for books and equipment. Also, every year we provide twelve weeks of practical work experience in one of our hospitals aimed at supporting your learning. In the last year of university study we also conduct a pre nursing course to enable registration with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.
- Registered Nurse / Registered Midwife
Registered nurses are nurses who have completed an undergraduate degree and a pre nursing course. We provide a wide range of career development opportunities for Registered Nurses and Midwives to continually build their skills and experience.
