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"Nursing is in my blood"

For Kayla Crofts, nursing is more than a job – it’s a powerful legacy of female-led caregiving. With the most influential women in her life taking up nursing as their profession, . And in graduating from UOW’s Bega Valley campus in 2022, Kayla is continuing this strong maternal tradition in her own community.

"I've always wanted to be a nurse. My mum's a nurse and my sister's a nurse and my mother-in-law's a nurse and my sister-in-law, but it was something I've always wanted to do. It’s always been a bit of a personal thing for me, and a passion of mine to look after people that are at their most vulnerable," she says.

Kayla credits the hands-on experience she gained through the Bachelor of Nursing program as pivotal to her confidence on the job. “I was able to work in the hospital for one shift a week and I used the skills that I had learnt at university,” she explains.

Now a familiar face on the ward, Kayla works as a registered nurse at the region’s main hospital – a role that’s all the more fulfilling because she’s caring for her own community.

Working as a registered nurse was a "lifelong ambition" for nursing graduate, Kayla Crofts. Photo: Stelios Stylianou.

"I do feel like I am giving back to the community. I feel like it is doing my small part to make sure our community stays healthy and strong. I feel proud to be a nurse and I couldn't have done that without doing my degree here at UOW Bega Valley," she says.

Global care connections

For Sudarshan Thapa, choosing to study nursing in Australia wasn’t just about academics – it was about finding a sense of belonging far from his home in Nepal.

“I grew up in a small town called Patichaur and studied at a secondary boarding school until 10th grade, then moved to the city for higher education,” Sudarshan explains. “I chose to study in Australia because I compared different countries and found out that Australia had a very secure study environment compared to USA/UK and other European countries. Also, I have a sister here [in the Bega Valley area] and I knew that being near her, I wouldn’t feel homesick when being far from my country.”

Nursing student Sudarshan Thapa is gaining hands-on experience at UOW Bega Valley – and with a sister working locally in health care, he’s well connected to the community. Photo: Stelios Stylianou.

Now in his second year at UOW Bega Valley, Sudarshan has found his rhythm – both in his studies and in the tight-knit community.

“The Bega Valley campus is simply awesome. Everyone is helpful and it is a great study environment with cooperative colleagues and amazing teachers. I like the fact that it’s in a walking distance from my house. It has all the facilities I need as a student. The teachers are very welcoming, approachable and supportive.”

His best piece of advice? “Stay curious, have fun and keep learning because you have the best environment to do all those things here,” Sudarshan says. “I plan to become a registered nurse, gain experience, and have fun. [Nursing provides] good career security, you will never run out of jobs as a nurse, and there is so much to learn–nursing skills make a real difference in day-to-day life.”

New pathways into nursing

In July 2024, UOW’s School of Nursing launched its mid-year Bachelor of Nursing intake at ¾«¶«´«Ã½ campus—a pilot program that attracted 25 diverse and determined students. The cohort ranged in age from 17 to 53, and came from diverse backgrounds, some transitioning from other degrees, and others entering through the Certificate IV Ageing and Support pathway.

This was the case for Christine Mojsoski, who first enrolled to study nursing in 2010 before life took her in a different direction. Now, as part of UOW’s inaugural mid-year intake at the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ campus, Christine has reignited her passion for nursing – and she couldn’t be more enthusiastic.

“It was supreme timing. I had just started looking into studying again and I didn't realise the option was there to start mid-year. That sealed it. I applied and I didn't tell anyone and got accepted straight away.”

For the mum-of-three, it was a timely way to get back into studying. Using her experience in HR recruitment in NSW Health and the construction industry she hit the ground running as part of UOW ¾«¶«´«Ã½’s nursing cohort.

“I love it. I feel like I have found who I am in my core, and I cannot wait to do my first placement. I can’t wait to get into the nitty, gritty side of things and experience surgical nursing.”

Christine is excited about the future of nursing.

“Nursing is a very personal job; you need a good personality to be a good nurse. I feel lucky to be part of a small mid-year cohort. We’ve stuck together and supported each other from the beginning.”

UOW's state-of-the-art clinical and simulation labs equip nursing students with hands-on skills to confidently step into real-world patient care.

Nurses are the backbone of the health care system, and UOW’s Bachelor of Nursing program is committed to preparing the next generation to thrive. With course delivery across multiple campuses and flexible entry options, the program offers a stepping stone for those ready to make a real difference – whether that’s close to home or across the globe.

Explore your options to study nursing at UOW.