Like many enrolled nurses, Cheryl always wanted to become a registered nurse but family commitments at the time were more important.

However, after husband Dennis resigned from the Westpac bank in Newcastle and moved back to Oberon to pursue his own carrying business and the children, son Brett and daughter Tanya, followed their own career paths, Cheryl decided to re-enter the workforce and work at Oberon Hospital.

“It was very scary. It had been a long time since I’d been to school,” said Cheryl.

Cheryl saw a bridging course for enrolled nurses offered through NSW TAFE Technical College Bathurst and pre-tertiary studies being offered through CSU.

“I applied to CSU in 2005 and was accepted as a four year part-time long distance Bachelor of Nursing student,” she said.

Going back to university as a mature age-student was both rewarding and challenging.

“I had to be confident with my maths skills and studied to catch,” Cheryl said. “I was granted two part-time scholarships during my course through the Royal College of Nursing and the Edith Cavell Trust.”

Studying as mature age student gave Cheryl a good perspective on the relevance of her studies. “I loved getting the education at mature age of life,” she said.

The four-year part-time nursing degree included study of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing practice, as well as ethical and legal issues and exposes nurses to breadth of areas they can work in, including acute care, general practice, aged care, remote and rural nursing.

“I found the research, assignments and three hour exams for each subject were very challenging.. My university life was a great journey. It was fun, interesting and challenging. I made friends with a few students who were very supportive.

“I managed to work part-time, mind my seven grandchildren twice a week and study. Nevertheless, I managed to get good grades and a good reputation for my nursing skills in all my clinical placements and completed my final grade with a distinction,” she said.

Cheryl completed her studies in December 2009 and graduated with a degree in nursing and received her academic award on May 5, 2010 at CSU.

Cheryl is completing her transition to practice program for new registered nurses through Greater Western Area Health Service at Oberon Hospital.