Students are our future. Nursing students, even more so.
As the number of us living with complex health and social care needs continues to grow, education of more nurses will be essential. Our communities’ health and well-being depend on the adaptability, advocacy and compassion of our future nurses, and that’s what drives the teaching philosophy of UNE Senior Lecturer, Dr Sally Bristow.
“I love teaching students the importance of compassion, caring for someone's health, and advocating for them,” says Sally.
“In my role, I can teach and inspire students and assist in ensuring we have a great nursing workforce for the future, particularly in our rural and remote communities, where many vulnerable Australians live and desperately need access to health care.”
Sally’s passion for teaching and future-proofing vulnerable communities was recently recognised at the UNE Oorala Aboriginal Centre’s inaugural awards night, where she was presented with the Tertiary Education Impact Award.
“I was so excited and honoured to get this award, especially to be recognised by my colleagues in Oorala, who help look after our Indigenous students. What drives me is getting more Indigenous nursing students through their nursing degrees; we must close the gap and provide care to Indigenous communities.
"In the future, I want to see more Indigenous registered nurses and midwives, as this will have the most significant impact in closing the gap and adding a voice to Indigenous health.”
In the future, I want to see more Indigenous registered nurses and midwives, as this will have the most significant impact in closing the gap and adding a voice to Indigenous health.
It’s been quite the journey for Sally to reach this point in her career. With more than 30 years of midwifery and nursing experience spanning from the Royal North Shore Hospital to remote Aboriginal communities of Far North Queensland, few have better knowledge of our health system and what is needed for its continued sustainability.
“How we look at health will have to change with an ageing population and more individuals working with chronic conditions. Primary health care will need to be more of a focus as we look at prevention and keeping us all healthy.
“We must start with young kids and make education, healthy foods and sports more accessible for our most vulnerable communities.
“When I graduated, all nurses worked in hospitals. Now, we see nurses working in all aspects of health and social care. The workforce will continue to change in the future, and we need to ensure our students are adaptable and flexible to change and can work with individuals to look after their health care. Self-determination is essential.”
Self-determination is essential.
Listening to Sally makes it hard to not feel optimistic about the future. She has an infectious enthusiasm when discussing the prospects of nursing and its role in helping our most vulnerable.
“Can you imagine a world with no need for dialysis in our remote communities or no rheumatic heart disease and need for heart surgery? These are both preventable conditions where our nurses can make a huge impact.
Can you imagine a world with no need for dialysis in our remote communities or no rheumatic heart disease and need for heart surgery? These are both preventable conditions where our nurses can make a huge impact.
“I hope to motivate our nursing students to believe in themselves and that they can do it and make a difference, as they are role models for the future.
“I love my job, the people I work with, and the students I meet. It is a privilege and joy to be a teacher and help others reach their dreams and full potential.”
It is a privilege and joy to be a teacher and help others reach their dreams and full potential.
It’s clear the education of more nurses is essential for our future, and with people such as Sally teaching them, that future is in safe hands.
