14-year-old school leaver to nursing award finalist

Katherine left school at age 14, feeling discouraged by her circumstances and unmotivated to continue. UOW College’s HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing course gave her the foundation and confidence to bring her life experience to a rewarding professional career.

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‘My teachers [at UOW College] encouraged hard work and active learning. They supported everyone so much.’ 

Over time, Katherine’s love of learning and desire for personal growth helped her overcome her fears. Becoming a finalist in the 2026 Illawarra & South East NSW Training Awards reflects just how far Katherine has come. 

Motivation as foundation 

Katherine was passionate about learning from an early age, but in a small community without access to adequate support and guidance, it was difficult for her to stay motivated. 

‘I didn’t fit in in high school; I was in with the wrong crowd. I started feeling like school wasn’t that important to me.’ 

Katherine’s confidence was wounded after so many years attempting to gain her education conventionally. She knew she had potential to work in service-based roles and was determined to see it through. 

‘I feel like I was born to look after and care for people,’ she says. 

Katherine’s genuine love for taking care of others made service-based work the only natural option. She preferred a hands-on approach to learning and began looking into vocational courses.  

Caring for four children with special needs and supporting her husband through multiple health conditions gave Katherine the informal experience needed to back her career aspirations. Once she’d gained qualifications that could lead her to professional employment, Katherine began to see a future for herself within the medical field. 

When Katherine learnt about UOW College’s 18-month Diploma of Nursing she was drawn to the short timeframe and guaranteed entry to the second year at university, but worried about how she would fit in as a mature age student.  

Eventually, awkward and uncomfortable turned to motivated and impassioned as Katherine found diversity and camaraderie amongst her peers. 

‘It was fast paced, full-time and required dedication, but I felt inspired and supported all the way through.’  

‘UOW College is very personal and intimate,’ says Katherine. ‘I got to know my teachers, and they got to know my circumstances, so they showed me a lot of understanding. I could make up study time and catch up on course content if I had to.’ 

Taking off

Achieving a Diploma of Nursing gave Katherine the opportunity to work as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) while gaining qualifications to become a Registered Nurse (RN) through a Bachelor of Nursing.  

Katherine’s teachers, Marie and Rachel, saw her potential and encouraged Katherine to work part-time as a nurse during her bachelor's degree. 

‘They gave me glowing references,’ says Katherine. ‘I got the first job I applied for.’ 

Now working as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) at Wollongong hospital, Katherine is bringing her valuable experience and strong educational background to the workforce. 

‘I absolutely love what I do and I’m so grateful for everything that brought me here.’ 

It’s not easy balancing study, work and care responsibilities, but Katherine’s support system and determination drive her onward. Between the connections she’s made at UOW College Wollongong campus and the support of her family, Katherine has created a strong foundation for achieving her goals.  

‘I’ve been recommending College to everyone since I graduated – even my coworkers!’ she says. 

‘There are scholarships and diploma courses for anyone who wants to make a change but doesn’t know where to start.’  

UOW College gave Katherine a foundation to pivot her journey and discover her potential in a field that’s right for her. 

Find out more about studying Nursing at UOW College