From ISP to Graduation
Marcus Froome and Julie Eggins attended the same Internal Selection Program (ISP) day at Oorala. Marcus Froome and Julie Eggins both graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Nursing. The Internal Selection Program is a testing and assessment program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As candidates they completed a personal statement, outlined their suitability and plans for studying at UNE. They also sat an academic literacy tests, and were assessed on their personal, professional and educational experiences.
Julie and Marcus are the first in their respective families to complete a university degree. As a mother, Julie has found juggling family and study the biggest barrier to overcome. “Having to leave my family for weeks on end to complete clinical placements was probably the biggest sacrifice we all had to make.” Julie said.
Julie is a proud Kamilaroi woman, originally from Barraba, left school in Year 11, and felt like a ‘fish out of water’, when first beginning her studies tey she went on to complete her final six week clinical placement at Grafton Correctional Centre. Marcus, an Armidale local and one of thirteen children completed his final clinical placement at Metropolitan Remand & Reception Justice Health Care Silverwater, Sydney.
Julie and Marcus both agree that the tutorial assistance program was integral to their success. Marcus has found the support when proofreading assessments and academic writing the most beneficial whereas for Julie her tutor is also a nurse so the knowledge which was passed down to her is still incredibly valuable.
Julie is passionate about closing the gap in health care and life expectancy of her people and was inspired to study nursing through her grandfather. “My grandfather, he had a lot of health issues and I loved caring for him from a very young age”, Julie said.
Marcus and Julie are lucky to have shared their nursing journeys from the beginning. Julie says, “I think it is essential to have relationships with other student nurses, we met through study and I feel we have formed life-long bonds. You are each other’s support system, the ones you turn to when you are struggling, the ones you tell when you are succeeding, they encourage you to keep going when you feel you can’t. They are the only ones that know what it is really like and therefore the easiest to confide in”. Marcus agreed, “I think it is very important to establish connections with other students, it not only makes your time studying nursing enjoyable, but these are friends you will have forever”.
Julie was fortunate enough to receive two scholarships while studying at UNE, NSW Nursing & Midwifery Scholarship and the Hunter New England Population Health Aboriginal Nursing Scholarship. These scholarships assisted with the cost of travel, textbooks, nursing uniforms and supplies such as a lab coat and stethoscope. Julie was also able to reduce her working hours so she could concentrate on her studies. Marcus said, “… my scholarship has helped me buy the textbooks I needed for each year as textbooks tend to be expensive”.
Marcus says, “We need more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the health sector”. Julie encourages anyone who is contemplating university to give it a go. Marcus believes that Oorala is a great place to study because, “they value your culture and walk beside you to help you achieve your goals".
