13 February 2019

After working as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) and a Wards Person for over 30 years, Greystanes local and mother-of-two, Michelle Cassar, knew she wanted to pursue her passion of becoming a nurse.

Mrs Cassar was aware of the possible increase in jobs for trained nurses in Western Sydney over the next decade and with some encouragement from her colleagues at Westmead Hospital she successfully enrolled and completed a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Wetherill Park. Thanks to the skills and practical experience she received as part of the course, Mrs Cassar has now secured her dream job as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) at Westmead Hospital.

According to research by TAFE NSW, the public and private sectors are investing $3.4 billion over the next decade to develop the Westmead Health Precinct, which will create 3,500 additional jobs by 2021 and provide up to 50,000 jobs by 2036.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) values the contribution of new nurses and midwives. In 2019 WSLHD is investing almost $30 million in the recruitment of new nursing staff.

“To be honest I wanted to be an astronaut, but once I started as an AIN I knew I wanted to help people,” Mrs Cassar said.

“TAFE NSW provided the perfect learning environment, with amazing teachers and competence based training. I was given the opportunity to speak up, answer questions and practise what I had learnt in the industry.

“I learnt important foundation skills which would set me up for a rewarding career in nursing. From medical terminology and how the body works and interacts to pharmacology.

“Now, I’m able to put the skills I have developed at TAFE NSW into use on a daily basis when providing patient assessments, dispensing medication, inserting IV drips, working with doctors and allied health professionals and providing the best patient care.

“I work with an amazing bunch of nurses at Westmead Hospital who have taught me so much, but the best part is knowing that I have been part of a team to help someone get back to good health.”

Director of Nursing at Westmead Hospital, said Michelle was becoming a confident nurse and a pleasure to work with.

TAFE NSW Nursing and Health Teacher, Lillee Gourlie, said Michelle is the perfect example of students coming to TAFE NSW to launch their careers to be employed in a job they love in an industry that has a strong demand for trained workers.”

Enrolments are now open for semester one at TAFE NSW. For information visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
 

Media contact: Teresa Lane, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner 9796 5476, mobile 0412 773 887