When Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) student Shila Pokhrel crossed the stage at the University of New England, it marked far more than a degree. It was the culmination of a journey defined by sacrifice, resilience and a mother’s determination to build a better future for her son.
Shila, who grew up in Nepal and completed a Diploma in Nursing (2012) and Bachelor of Nursing (2018), arrived in Australia in 2022. Despite already being a nurse, she spent almost a year retaking English tests before she could begin studying again.
“It took me almost one year, with multiple attempts, to achieve the score I needed,” she says. “More than anything, it was a journey of patience and persistence.”
She commenced UNE’s Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) in October 2023, combining online learning with practical placements in regional areas.
Nursing, she says, is deeply tied to her life story. After her marriage ended during pregnancy, Shila chose to be a single mother. When her son was later diagnosed with autism, her resolve strengthened.
“After everything I went through—being a single mother, facing emotional struggles, and caring for my son—I understood what compassion truly means. Nursing is not just my profession; it is something I feel deeply connected to.”
Shila chose UNE for its flexibility and human support at a time when she was struggling with language and adjusting to a new country.
“I chose UNE because it gave me a chance when I needed one,” she explains. “The support from lecturers like Penelope, Bipasha and especially Apsara made a huge difference. She guided me through everything and cared for me when I lost hope in myself. Lifetime memories are created with her.”
Image: Shila with her brothers, whose constant emotional and financial support helped her balance work, study and regional nursing placements on the way to becoming a Registered Nurse in Australia.
After graduating, Shila began work as a Registered Nurse in aged care in regional Australia.
“Many elderly people feel lonely, and I try to care for them the way I would want someone to care for my own parents,” she says. “Working in regional areas feels more personal. You get to know people, not just as patients, but as individuals with stories.”
Behind these achievements sit profound challenges: leaving her autistic son in Nepal with her parents, working and studying simultaneously, managing finances and loneliness in a new country.
“My biggest achievement is not just becoming a Registered Nurse—it is everything I overcame to reach here,” she says. “It was not just studying, it was survival.”
Her parents and brothers, especially Saroj and Shakti, supported her emotionally and financially, while her lecturers “guided me like family”.
Image: Shila’s greatest motivation: her parents and young son in Nepal, whose love, care and sacrifice underpin her journey to become a Registered Nurse in Australia.
Graduation day was bittersweet. Shila had applied for visas for her parents and her son; while her parents were approved, her son’s visa was refused.
“My graduation day was both happy and painful,” she recalls. “I stood there alone, smiling, but inside I was emotional. I studied nursing again here so I could give a better future for my son, but it looks like it’s hard to get a visa for him. Still, I will keep trying for my son until my last breath.”
The journey has taught her how strong she truly is.
“I have learned that strength is not about never falling, it is about standing up every single time you fall,” she says. “I have learnt to be patient, because everything comes at the right time. I am eagerly waiting for my son’s visa to be approved and praying every day.”
Her message to others is simple but powerful:
“If my story can reach even one person who feels lost, I want them to know this: there is no failure if you keep trying. Life may delay your dreams, but it will not deny them if you truly believe and keep moving forward. No matter how dark the night feels, the sun will always rise again.”
