Melissa Cooper Student Profile

Student Profile

I am a mature age student studying full time at UWS. I had attained my Higher School Certificate almost ten years prior to enrolling in Nursing. Most of my spare time is spent on my studies and with my children; however I have had the opportunity to work with members of the Family and Community Health research faculty. This has enhanced my nursing education here at UWS.

Why did you decide to undertake the BN(Advanced)?
I chose to undertake the B Nursing (Advanced) course as I thought it would be challenging and beneficial to my academic aspirations. In this course, I have an academic mentor who provides me with support and is committed to seeing me succeed. Also, there are additional assessment tasks and clinical components in the Advanced course which aim to challenge and further develop my critical thinking skills.

Why did you choose to study at UWS?
My decision in choosing to study at UWS was partly influenced by my older brother. Having seen him successfully achieve his goals here at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, his recommendations were quite persuasive. UWS has a large student population spread over many campuses and offers a wide variety of courses to its students. The availability and access to a vast amount of learning resources which enhance one’s education, was enticing. The friendly library staff are only too willing to help with student enquiries and have made necessary changes to their services after listening to student feedback.

What is it like to be a student at UWS enrolled in this course?
Undertaking any form of tertiary study can be quite challenging and as a mother of two young children, it is necessary to find a balance between study and family life. The School of Nursing and Midwifery at UWS have many knowledgeable tutors and lecturers who make themselves available to assist students with their academic enquiries as well as provide valuable advice regarding our professional aspirations. The level of personalised support given to students is invaluable.

What are you hoping to gain by completing this degree?
The B Nursing (Advanced) course is a pathway to undertaking Honours and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with an accomplished Professor, such as Professor Debra Jackson, who is my mentor. By completing my Honours, I will then be able to undertake a PhD higher research degree, with the possibility of becoming a lecturer in the future.