Sarah Evans, 1 March, 2022
Sarah Evans found support for her studies so she can give support when she graduates.
Growing up in a regional area I witnessed many family, friends and members of my community not be able to access the medical care they needed. I knew members of my community who, when diagnosed with medical conditions, had to relocate to metropolitan areas to receive the care they required. They moved from their family and friends, who are vital to care, to receive the medical attention they needed. Once I graduate my degree would like to move back to a non-metropolitan area of Australia and support regional and rural communities.
I moved from Townsville to Brisbane by myself when I was 17 to study paramedics and nursing. I was drawn to QUT for their Indigenous support unit, the Oodgeroo Unit. They were unlike any other support unit I had found. When I moved I did not know anyone in Brisbane and the Oodgeroo Unit offered me a place I could go to be accepted, supported and a part of my community.
I’ve faced many difficulties throughout my time at university and have always been able to go to the students and staff at the unit and talk about my struggles. The staff are very supportive and regularly check-in to see how I am doing. The Oodgeroo Unit also offer the Keystones to success program which provides free tutoring to students which I have found great relief and assistance in accessing. I do not believe I would still be studying if it wasn’t for the support of the Oodgeroo Unit.
While at QUT I’ve completed an Aurora internship as a Paramedic in Darwin which gave me valuable experience in rural/regional healthcare where there is a high Indigenous population. I gained knowledge in the complex physical, cultural, mental and spiritual cares and needs Indigenous patients and their communities require.
QUT also works with QAS (the Queensland Ambulance Service) to provide opportunities for paramedic students to volunteer at their training facility, pretending to be patients or paramedics, assisting in the education of medical students, fire fighters and critical care paramedics. These opportunities are unparalleled! They are realistic and as students we rarely get to see these scenarios and work through them with other healthcare professionals before placement or graduating. They are great exposure and an unequalled educational experience.
If I can offer advice to anyone considering studying I’d say have confidence in yourself to try new things, there are so many opportunities available and if you are scared of failing or embarrassing yourself you will never take full advantage of these opportunities. Taking extracurricular opportunities can push you to places you never thought you would be able to achieve. They are also great networking opportunities.
