“Challenging but worth it” is how former Gympie bookkeeper Felicity Rogers describes graduating with a Nursing Science degree from the University of the Sunshine Coast and embarking on a career as a health professional in her local community.

Felicity was among a large cohort of Nursing Science students from USC Gympie who came together recently at Graduation, at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus, to celebrate their academic and career success.

Many have gained highly competitive positions in Queensland Health’s Graduate Registered Nurse program, including Felicity who is working in the acute services unit at Gympie Hospital with the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.

“Being a busy mum of three children while studying full-time and working part-time with a FIFO husband sure presented plenty of challenges,” Felicity said.

“But all the late-night study sessions and the stress was all worth it as I am absolutely loving being a registered nurse," she said.

“Graduation day with the friends I made while studying at USC Gympie was such a great feeling. After having to change to online learning halfway through our degree due to COVID, it was wonderful to celebrate together all we had achieved.

“Being able to have my family there and seeing how proud they were of me was also a huge highlight.” 

Despite always wanting a career where she could help others, Felicity said university was never something she considered when completing high school.

“I worked as a bookkeeper after school and then in the mining industry before having my children. I then studied a dual Certificate IV in bookkeeping and accounting at TAFE, which gave me the confidence to apply to university,” she said.

“USC’s Gympie campus gave me the opportunity to study Nursing Science without having to move away to study, and I worked for Queensland Health as a USIN (undergraduate student in nursing) while completing my degree.” 

Applications are open to study at USC starting Semester 2.