Nicholas' nursing journey shapes lives

But a chance encounter reignited his passion to help others - and inspire a whole new career.

“I worked in retail for five years when I moved here, then in the corrective service, in the safety unit for at-risk prisoners, and that’s where I first saw the need for more mental health nurses,” Nicholas explained.

“We worked with chronic self-harmers and people deeply struggling. Seeing how the nurses and mental health professionals supported them made me realise it’s what I want to do.”

A friend studying nursing through TAFE Queensland encouraged Nicholas to enrol in the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) through online study.

The diploma equipped Nicholas with advanced skills to perform clinical assessments, contribute to caring for people with complex needs, administer and monitor medications and IV therapy, and apply evidence-based research to his practice.

Guided every step of the way by highly experienced industry professionals, he gained the confidence and expertise needed to succeed in the health sector.

The flexibility of self-paced learning allowed him to balance his studies with family and work commitments - and opened the door to a seamless transition into the Bachelor of Nursing, which he is now completing.

Working as an enrolled nurse at Caboolture Hospital and studying a Bachelor of Nursing (HED007) online through TAFE Queensland, Nicholas is blending his rich life experience with new skills to make a real difference, particularly for patients facing mental health challenges.

Nicholas’s bachelor studies equip him with the clinical knowledge and practical skills needed to work as an effective and ethical registered nurse.

Through on-campus labs and state-of-the-art simulated nursing wards, he is honing his abilities under the guidance of supportive, industry-qualified educators.

“Studying online means I can study anywhere, anytime. I’ve studied at airports, at work, and from home, balancing my learning around work, travel and family. Having recorded lectures and online resources makes it all possible,” he said.

“Even when I was working in the prison system, I could apply what I was learning straight away to understand mental health better and improve outcomes for the people I cared for.”

Nicholas says the combination of online theory and on-campus practical labs has been invaluable.

“When we come together on campus for labs, the facilities are fantastic - sometimes even better stocked than the hospital I work in,” he said.

“Having lecturers with real industry experience means they understand what it’s like on the ground. They help break complex topics down and make them relevant to what we see in our workplaces.”

Since graduating from the diploma and starting work at Caboolture Hospital and studying for his bachelor's, Nicholas has seen his skills grow exponentially - but more importantly, he says, so has his perspective.

“My clinical skills have improved, but so have my soft skills. I look at medicine and patient care more holistically now. It’s about understanding the whole person, not just the condition in front of you,” he explained.

Nicholas is due to complete his bachelor’s degree next year. He hopes to secure a graduate nurse position, ideally specialising in mental health and possibly returning to the prison system in a new capacity.

“I’m fascinated by the science and the human side behind nursing. Helping people make small changes that have a big impact - that’s the most rewarding part,” Nicholas said.

For now, he’s easily balancing work, family, and study thanks to TAFE Queensland’s flexible learning model.

“Studying online fits perfectly into my life, and I’m exactly where I’m meant to be,” concluded Nicholas.