Defying the odds: marching to the beat of her own drum

When Samantha enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing when she was sixteen, she was told by an acquaintance that the odds weren’t in her favour. 

“They said I’d most likely drop out because of my age,” Samantha recalled.

“Statistically, mothers under 20 face lower education outcomes and reduced employment opportunities. 

“And I wasn’t going to let that happen,” she said with determination.

Samantha chose to complete a Diploma of Nursing because she had always wanted to be in a ‘helping profession’ and nursing appealed, as it required a significant amount of empathy and understanding, at every step of a patient’s journey.

Help from loved ones made all the difference, giving Samantha the support she needed to keep going.

“Studying is hard – and studying with a newborn/toddler – even harder!” Samantha offered.

“I had an amazing support system however – mostly my mum Vanessa, my rock.

“She put her own dreams on hold so that I could chase mine – she would look after my son while I was on campus and when I needed extra study time.

“Without her I truly don’t think I would be where I am today. 

“I’m so grateful to my mum, my dad Chris and my sister Morghan – they were all there with a helping hand,” Samantha said.

Self-determination during setbacks kept Samantha moving forward.

With more than 400 hours of clinical placement and many more spent practising on her family (who volunteered as willing ‘patients’ for constant blood-pressure checks), Samantha credits her support crew and her own persistence for pushing forward, especially in academically challenging times.

For example, after completing her first placement – an assignment error temporarily paused her studies, however she was able to resubmit and went on to progress with her qualification.

“At the time, I was devastated. I thought I was a failure. But I’ve learned that success doesn’t follow a straight line. When you mess up, you pick yourself up and keep going,” Samantha shared.

While Samantha’s freshly framed ‘Diploma of Nursing’ and new AHPRA registration are milestones she’s proud of, Samantha said the true rewards run deeper.

“I’ve gained confidence in myself and in my care,” she explained.

“I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge from my mentors, and friendships I’ll treasure forever. 

“I leave here (TAFE Queensland) a kinder, more understanding and more resilient person, and I’ve learned that knowledge is power, and I’ll keep learning – that’s my promise,” she said.

Looking ahead, Samantha’s passion for hands-on care continues to grow, especially in areas like IV medication administration and wound care.

She’s eager to build her career as an enrolled nurse, carrying forward that empathy and resilience that shaped her student years.

“Just yesterday I received a call saying I had made it into a graduate program at the hospital where I had my final placement,” Samantha beamed.

“I was told that there were hundreds of applicants and only 14 spots! 

“I start in February 2026 and I’m so excited for this amazing opportunity. 

“In the meantime, I’m keeping up my practical skills as a support worker, specialising in spinal injuries, and I’m loving it,” said Samantha.

Samantha also hopes her son Ez will one day understand the determination behind every late-night study session.

“Everything I’ve done, I’ve done with him in mind. I want him to know and observe that anything is possible – no matter where you start,” she shared.

Samantha finished her graduation speech with the following reminder: “You’re not behind. You’re not late. You’re right on time for your own journey. Life isn’t a race – it’s a rhythm – and yours doesn’t have to match anyone else’s.”