It was while mother-of-three Jess Reck was being treated for breast cancer that she made the life changing decision to study a Diploma of Nursing and build a career caring for others.
The Burdell-based, 34-year-old is now one of 25 students set to graduate from Mater Education’s fee-free Diploma of Nursing course on 2 July.
Ms Reck will soon start work as an Enrolled Nurse at Mater Private Hospital Townsville.
Following chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a mastectomy, Ms Reck had a new perspective on life.
“Going through that experience meant that I saw life through a different set of eyes, and I decided that it was time to put myself first,” she said.
“That’s why I started studying the Diploma of Nursing.”
Ms Reck managed many of her health challenges and treatments while completing her placement hours.
“Becoming a single mother and going through all of that was really challenging and I think that experience drove me to want to be there for people at their lowest point,” she said.
“I know exactly how that feels and I just want to do what I can for others.”
Now four years cancer free, Ms Reck is looking forward to the many opportunities nursing brings.
“It feels like a dream come true for me to have furthered my education. It’s the end of a long yet rewarding journey,” she said.
“I recently completed placement on the oncology ward at Townsville University Hospital, and it was a beautiful experience being able to give back to patients who had walked a similar journey to me.”
Ms Reck has now secured a role in perioperative anaesthetics at Mater Private Hospital Townsville and will start in August.
Having once considered becoming a primary school teacher, Ms Reck also sees teaching the next generation of nurses in her future career.
“I love the idea of passing knowledge onto others. Through that process of teaching, you also learn something too. That has been incredibly valuable for me,” she said.
More than 90 students have graduated from the Diploma of Nursing in Townsville since Mater Education became an approved provider of the State Government’s Free Nursing initiative in 2023.
Mater Education Senior Manager, Diploma of Nursing Claire Cureton said that for many Townsville locals, pursuing a career in nursing would not be possible without fee-free study.
“Queensland needs to significantly boost its nursing workforce to keep pace with the healthcare demands of today and into the future,” Ms Cureton said.
“Free nursing training has been an enormous opportunity for those wanting to start their healthcare career and Mater Education is proud to be teaching the nursing heroes of tomorrow.”
