Pillar 3: Education
A dedicated local nurse is set to take the next step in her career, thanks to years of study, determination, and the generosity of the community.
Lynne Keatings, a Nurse Practitioner Candidate in Palliative Care has successfully completed her Master of Nurse Practitioner studies through Flinders University and, once her final results are published, will apply for Nurse Practitioner endorsement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
As a mature-aged student returning to study, Lynne admits the journey has been far from easy. “This course has challenged me in so many ways, academically, emotionally and socially” she said. “But my focus has always been on improving my ability to provide appropriate and effective care to my patients, ultimately improving their quality of life.”
Over the years, Lynne has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care and has been the recipient of several scholarships to assist with university fees. She says this support, combined with the guidance of mentors and her family, was critical to her success.
“The unconditional support of my family and my three mentors was the only way I got through,” she explained. “Dr Chei L i, Dr Anne Keedwell and NP Alison Bowman all supported me in different but very important ways. Add to that the patience and encouragement of my family, and I feel incredibly fortunate.”
Looking ahead, Lynne will attend the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in Brisbane later this year, before celebrating her graduation in December. She hopes her story will inspire others who are considering the same path.
Most importantly, Lynne says her education has only been possible thanks to the generosity of community donations to the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.
“I want to sincerely thank all the donors who make this support possible,” she said. “Without you, I would not have been able to complete this journey. I’m now looking forward to putting all that I have learnt into practice to make a difference for patients and families in our community.”
