Holly breaks through barriers to become a nurse

“I’ve always enjoyed caring for people, and I wanted to work in a career where I could leave people in a better state than I found them,” Holly said.

Studying nursing had always been a dream, and when she learned about Fee-Free TAFE funding for the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121), Holly knew the time was right to take the leap.

She enrolled at TAFE Queensland’s Loganlea campus, ready to begin a new chapter and finally pursue the career she had wanted since childhood.

Living with a hearing impairment, her studies weren’t without challenges, and Holly was concerned about how it might affect her ability to learn and practice nursing safely.

“There’s always that fear of being misunderstood or appearing slow when you have a disability like mine, and I was nervous coming into nursing because of that stigma,” she explained.

Instead, she discovered extraordinary support, with her teachers deeply invested in ensuring her success by adapting lessons to meet her learning needs, going out of their way to ensure her hearing loss didn’t hold her back.

In her first semester, Holly doubted whether she could continue after learning she needed to take a blood pressure reading using a stethoscope.

“When I realised my hearing impairment meant I couldn’t use the standard stethoscope, I thought, this is where it ends.”

“But my teachers went above and beyond and sourced an amplified stethoscope for me until I could get my own and showed me how to use it effectively. That moment gave me the confidence to keep going,” she explained.

Her teachers also ensured that online learning was accessible by speaking clearly, enabling subtitles during Zoom tutorials, and uploading recorded lessons through software that allowed captions to be switched on. They also checked in regularly to see if there was anything more they could do to help.

“The dedication of Tahlene Gadaloff, Tania Pollard, Mary Palce, Amelia Herbert, and Bente Jansen to student learning and support has been awe-inspiring and will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Holly said.

Her classmates also contributed to her achievements, working together during challenging periods, exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and supporting each other's learning, forming friendships that will last a lifetime.

Holly said that the campus itself also added to her learning experience, and when walking into the Loganlea nursing labs for the first time was, in her words, a “jaw-dropping moment.”

The facilities are designed to replicate real-world hospital environments, from simulation mannequins to fully equipped practice wards.

“Right from the beginning, I felt like I was in an environment that matched the real world, using the equipment I’ll be using in the nursing industry,” she said.

“The lab technicians keep everything so well organised and neatly presented - it really helps you get into the mindset of being a nurse.”

Beyond the classroom, Holly also found another way to make a difference through TAFE Queensland’s Student Voice program.

The initiative brings students together to share their perspectives and shape the future of training delivery.

“The Student Voice has done exactly what the name suggests - it’s given me a voice, and I’ve been able to share my ideas on how the nursing diploma could be improved for students with diverse sensory needs, and it’s been rewarding to see those ideas taken seriously.”

“It’s also been valuable learning from students across other courses and hearing what has worked for them. It’s incredibly inclusive, and everyone is open to finding ways to improve.”

Holly has thrived in her nursing studies, gaining confidence in her skills and experiencing the deep satisfaction of caring for patients during vocational placement.

“A big support in my studies has been the AccessAbility services at TAFE, Loganlea. They really took the time to listen to my concerns and suggested practical tools and strategies that helped me succeed. Having that support and someone to liaise with my teachers made such a difference to my confidence,” she explained.

She has also surprised herself, excelling in subjects she once thought beyond her abilities.

“In the right setting, students with diverse sensory requirements can have a huge potential to do well, and TAFE Queensland provides that,” said Holly.

Her long-term dream is to become a registered nurse specialising in relationship-based nursing, such as mental health, oncology, palliative care, or rehabilitation. She also wants to advocate for greater inclusion in healthcare workplaces.

“In ten years, I envision myself serving as a specialised nurse while actively participating in workforce education focused on disability and inclusion. The empathy we demonstrate toward our patients should be extended to our colleagues,” she said.

Holly is proud of how far she has come and grateful for her teachers and peers who have helped her along the way.

“Studying at TAFE Queensland has shown me that students with diverse sensory requirements can excel with the right support - and I would absolutely recommend enrolling here to anyone,” concluded Holly.