Lynda Jones Student Profile
Student Profile
Name: Lynda Jones
Course: Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
What was your previous position before enrolling in the midwifery program?
Prior to enrolling in the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery I had just completed 6 months of a new graduate registered nurse program at Nepean Private Hospital. Six months prior to that I had just completed my undergraduate degree in the Bachelor of Nursing course, which I passed with Distinction and received a Dean’s medal for academic excellence.
Why did you choose to study at UWS?
I chose to study my Bachelor of Nursing at UWS because the Hawkesbury campus was the closest to my home. There are no other universities located close to the Blue Mountains. In choosing a university, it had to be close to home because I have 3 children, one with a severe learning disability and my youngest was only 15 months old when I started my BN. I chose to continue my studies with UWS for my midwifery for a couple of reasons even despite the course only being offered at the Bankstown campus. Some of my reasons include, I like to learn through face to face learning and many of the other midwifery courses are conducted through distance education, and I had 2 other friends who were going to do the course with me so we decided to do it in the same university so that we could continue to support each other as we had done in the past.
What is it like to be a postgraduate student at UWS?
I do not feel that being a postgraduate student is very different to having been an undergraduate student. I have found my postgraduate lecturers to have been encouraging and supportive in my endeavours as I had also found with most of my lecturers whilst completing my BN. I suppose a benefit is being able to access any article regardless of whether the library holds it or not through document retrieval, for no cost. It is also good to be able to borrow more books than as an undergraduate, however, I have still not worked out the best way to carry all those extra books.
What are you hoping to gain from doing this degree?
Since the birth of my first child 13 years ago I have had a passionate desire to become a midwife. I had been so keen on becoming a midwife that I even became involved in one of the planning meetings held by UTS regarding the Bachelor of Midwifery. After this meeting I felt that the best course to take was for me to commence my RNs as it could not be established as to when the Bachelor of Midwifery would get off the ground. My dream is now almost a reality with only a few more months until I finish my diploma and can then register as a midwife.
What are your professional goals for the future?
One goal is to be a role model for others. I have very strong ideas on what makes a good midwife and I plan to model that behaviour. I not only want to be a role model for other midwives but also for other mature age students. I would like them to see that you can achieve your dreams no matter what stage of life you are at. In addition, I would like to be an advocate for change in midwifery, I have already commenced this goal by sending off partitions to the government regarding the allocation of midwifery scholarships, which is in the process of being reviewed by the government due to our partitions. Most of all I want to continue to be a role model for my children and others and show them that you can do it if you believe in yourself. My family have been my biggest support with my son boosting me when I have felt that it is all too much he stated “Mum, don’t feel bad about yourself, you are my inspiration, it is because of you that I keep trying”.
