Imagine seeing yourself on the front cover of a brochure! Well, that's exactly what happened to Ava-Rose Coates.

The 18-year-old had a chuckle when she saw the pamphlet promoting Mater Education’s Vocational Education and Training In Schools (VETiS) program which she completed when she was in Year 11 in 2020, gaining a Certificate II in Health Support Services and a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.

Fast forward three years and Ava has since finished school and enrolled in our Diploma of Nursing program, starting her journey in January at our Brisbane hospital campus.

"I wasn't expecting to see the brochure, it was funny!" she said.

"I made a lot of great friends during VETiS and it was a good experience to work out what I wanted to do in the future.

"I finished school and had a gap year before deciding to enrol in the Diploma at Mater.

"I have already made friends and we help each other with study and support each other. I am loving it so far."

Ava said healthcare seemed like the perfect career choice for her.

"I am a people person and I like making people feel good.  I feel like I have a caring nature, too," she said.

"I also had two knee reconstructions in 2019. I was in hospital for a while and I enjoyed watching the nurses, it was cool seeing what they did and the comradery within their team.

"Nursing is my real calling in life. I'm six weeks into the course and there hasn’t been one moment where I've second guessed it."

Curious about a career in nursing, too? Apply for the Diploma of Nursing today and start studying in Brisbane in April or Townsville in July: mater.li/ApplyForDoN

Explore our range of study options at Open Day, including our VETiS program and Certificate courses - join us in Townsville on March 18 or in Brisbane on March 23.

Register here: mater.li/OpenDay2023