Student gets cash jab

By Tania Martin
A MT EVELYN mother of four has been given a helping hand in the shape of a scholarship so that she can finish her nursing degree.
Vikki Power, 36, said every day is a juggling act as she tries to manage four children, a part-time job and study to become a nurse.
She said it would all be worth it in the end when she has her degree and is able to put her nursing skills to good use.
Ms Power said the ANZ Equity scholarship would make a big difference in her life as it would help out with everyday living expenses as well as course fees.
“Right now I just want to concentrate on completing my studies.
“But after that I want to work as a full-time nurse for some time before going onto other areas of nursing which I want to explore,” she said.
Ms Power said it was her mother who got her interested in nursing.
“My mum had started a course in aged care and asked me if it was something I would like to try.
“And for one day a week for 12-months I did the course and then started working in aged care. I really loved it,” she said.
After working in age cared, Ms Power decided that she would like to explore the world of nursing and applied to study at Deakin University.
Ms Power is currently half-way through her degree and said she was surprised when she was told she had won the scholarship.
She said she stumbled across the scholarship.
“My friend told me about the scholarship and I applied but didn’t expect to get chosen for it,” she said.
Ms Power said when she first got into aged care, her marriage broke-up, which made her think about the future and gave her the push she needed to apply for the nursing course.
“At some stage in your life you want something that is going to be a career and not just another job,” she said.
Ms Power left school in year 10 and has worked in many jobs including administration and advertising, but nursing has become her passion.
She said although she hasn’t decided what area of nursing she would like to eventually specialise in, she said she was interested in mental health, critical and remote area nursing.
Ms Power has another 18-months until she finishes her degree which is then followed by a graduate year of nursing.
She encourages anyone interested in nursing to get involved and not be discouraged. “Those who think it’s too hard or too big to try should give it a try, because it can be done, as help and support is available.”