The fulfilment of a dream
Paula Herbert had wanted to train as a nurse for many years, but family and life always seemed to take priority. One day, after her son ended up in hospital with a broken leg, she decided she couldn’t wait any longer and applied for her dream career.
It was extremely nerve-wracking on that first day. I was expecting to be the ‘old chick’ in the room when in fact we were all of varying ages. I was also worried about whether I could handle the study. What I found was a welcoming place offering lots of support and encouragement.
Paula enrolled for the Diploma in Enrolled Nursing at Otago Polytechnic and has really enjoyed the student experience.
“The people I’ve met along the way – classmates, lecturers, the patients, people I’ve worked with while on placements – have all been great.”
“I’ve grown as a person. I’ve got more confidence. If I can go back and study, in my 40s with 4 kids, I’m pretty sure I can do anything I set my mind to.”
“The greatest challenges have been ‘internal’: prioritising home life, kids, sports, study, assignments due in and running a business all while trying not to have the kids feel they were missing out was my biggest issue.”
Keen to enter the workforce as a nurse, Paula hasn’t ruled out further study one day.
“My first priority now that I’ve completed my Diploma is definitely to get a job. After that, who knows? Maybe apply for the Bachelor of Nursing and head back to Otago Polytechnic for a few more years of study.”
