20 August 2021 

Muswellbrook teen Corinna Brown always knew she wanted to be a nurse. So when she had the opportunity to kickstart her career early, she jumped at the chance to enroll in the TAFE NSW Certificate III in Health Services Assistance course as part of her HSC. 

The move paid off for the now 18-year-old who was recently named Health, Wellbeing and Community Services Student of the Year (North) in the TAFE NSW Excellence Awards. 

Completing her Health Services Assistance course last year while still at high school meant Corinna was already qualified to work as an Assistant in Nursing when she began a Diploma of Nursing this year at the TAFE NSW Tighes Hill campus. 

With the Hunter Valley’s health care and social assistance industry forecast to grow by 11.9 per cent in the next five years, Corinna’s skills have been in high demand. 

“As part of my course in high school, I had the opportunity to work one day each week at Muswellbrook Hospital,” Corinna said. 

“I continued this after I graduated, and now I also work at Singleton Hospital and in a Muswellbrook aged care facility. 

“Studying at TAFE has been a great experience, and the teachers have been fantastic by providing me with flexibility when I needed it for work and study. 

“It’s made me even more certain that nursing is what I want to do, and ultimately, I’d like to be a midwife.” 

Acting Head Teacher Lynne Jenkinson said Corinna’s high-school based study meant she got practical experience in nursing very early, which was a crucial part of making sure it really was her dream job. 

“Corinna is a kind, considerate and compassionate student with a talent for nursing,” Ms Jenkinson said. 

“As a high school student, Corinna had to travel over two hours one day each week to her TAFE classes at Maitland, while working another day at the hospital. She juggled this with her other HSC subjects and school classes. 

“Her Certificate III studies also mean Corinna has a head start on her peers and is able to easily understand the course content for the Diploma of Nursing.” 

For more information about kickstarting your career while still at school, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601. 

Media contact: Jenny Tinworth, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, mobile 0411 443 555, email jenny.tinworth@tafensw.edu.au.