Nyngan High student awarded Nurses & Midwives health scholarship

Nyngan High School student Anastasia Walsh has been awarded the inaugural Nurses & Midwives Health Scholarship for 2023, through the Public Education Foundation, to assist her to study nursing at university.

Anastasia was selected as the recipient of the scholarship because of her participation as a Health Services Trainee during her senior years at Nyngan High School and the passion she has shown to take up a nursing career.

“It makes me very proud to think my achievements and hard work have been acknowledged and awarded,” Anastasia said.

“It also recognises how valuable it was to complete a school-based traineeship to confirm and commit to my chosen career path of nursing.”

Anastasia will have to move away from the family farm outside Nyngan in order to undertake tertiary studies and the scholarship will assist with the cost of course fees, equipment, textbooks and a laptop computer. The scholarship provides recipients with financial assistance of up to $3,000 a year for each of three years of study.

“I have a strong connection with caring for people and treating them with dignity and respect,” Anastasia said.

“I am a compassionate person and I love the connection made between a patient and nurse and the high level of trust and faith they have in you to look after them.”

“I was very fortunate to complete my traineeship with the Nyngan Hospital team, who were both supportive of me and showed they had faith and complete trust in my ability to be a nurse.”

Anastasia says she hopes to return to a rural community after completing her training and hopes to become a midwife, or work for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The Nurses & Midwives Health Scholarship is provided by Nurses & Midwives Health, which is part of the Teachers Health Group. The scholarship is supported by the Public Education Foundation which provides scholarships for young people in public education as well as teachers and school principals.

Paul Somers, Chief Operating Officer of the Public Education Foundation said: “The Public Education Foundation is excited to have partnered with Nurses & Midwives Health to offer this scholarship. It is wonderful to read of Anastasia’s passion for nursing and be a part of helping her to achieve her goal.”

Teachers Health Group CEO Brad Joyce said: “Our partnership with the Public Education Foundation and scholarship support reflects our ongoing commitment to the education and nursing community, which are so integral to the heart of who we are as an organisation. We are very pleased to support Anastasia as she continues her learning and inspiring passion for nursing and healthcare.”