4 Corners Newsletter - Vol 2 - Central Queensland University

elationship with the School.
arrogance in health professionals. Her goal
as teacher is to encourage students to have
confidence in their own reasoning, so that the
chances of them being damaged and insecure
in their decision-making are reduced.
“While the role and function of the nurse has
become less physically stressful, the intellectual
risks and fear of consequences take a serious
toll on nurses. The system is more bureaucratic
and audit focused, and nurses are the people
left to carry that responsibility … that justification
to be perfect and never make a mistake or to
be found wanting.
The curriculums for nurse education
accommodate the expanded obligations
inherent in being a RN, to include writing,
language and communication.
“My time up North opened
doors to transcultural
experiences that have
continued to be an active part of
my study and teaching interest.”
“As educators our role is to arm them
with the skills and ways of thinking to move
forward confidently and articulate their
position to their peers. A failure to act because
of fear of consequences – in the sense of
personal consequences such as discipline or
condemnation – can be devastating.”
For Pam, it is a challenge to impose on
students rational thinking long before they
are in those decision-making roles.
“On one hand we are teaching high order
reasoning and in the next hand discipline and
rigid performance to protocols and procedures.
“While you can’t put an old head on young
shoulders, what you can do is open the minds
so that they are open to alternate ways of
doing something or seeing something.” BDG
Movements
at Noosa
Tracey Simes has taken on
the role of Clinical Placement
Academic, taking over from
Wendy Flanagan who has moved
into a teaching role to support the
internal Bachelor of Nursing.
Tanya Burgess has moved
from her role as Campus Faculty
Administration Officer to School
Administration Officer, supporting
the Deputy Dean, Head of
Program Midwifery with the
development of new nursing and
midwifery programs. NSA
STUDENTS ON TRACK
CQUniversity Australia, a valued partner of The Smith
Family, is a significant supporter of its online mentoring
program – iTrack – with several staff volunteering as mentors.
Nursing lecturer Kadie Cheney from Rockhampton
Campus volunteered for the iTrack program because she
admired its philosophy.
“The program provides students with the opportunity to
develop relationships with trained mentors who can help them
explore their options for the future,” says Kadie. “As mentors,
our role is to listen, guide and support students by advising
them on opportunities available to them in the workplace and
higher education.”
Where possible, The Smith Family matches students
with mentors who have achieved professional success in a
students’ chosen field of interest.
“To date I’ve had one student from Year 10 who was
exploring aspects of child care and another who was
interested in veterinary science,” says Kadie. “The mentor
program provides a way of giving your wisdom and
experience and providing another voice - who is not a parent
or family member – to help the student talk about their way
forward into a career. There’s no personal details exchanged
but the program helps to build the student’s esteem and
guides them with study and career choices.”
Campus Coordinator/
Lecturer Carol McPherson
from the School of Nursing
and Midwifery at Noosa
Campus says each student
is carefully screened by the
Smith Family and matched
based on the profession
and background of the
mentor.
Kadie Cheney, CQUni lecturer,
School of Nusing and Midwifery
“Twenty weeks of sharing in the life of a student towards
the development of a career pathway, especially from a
low socio-economic background, is more rewarding than
I could ever have imagined,” said Carol. “These students
demonstrate determination and tenacity and even though
there is always some shyness or awkwardness, they do not
fear obstacles and that’s what makes it so exciting.
“I believe we have a strong obligation to our community
to assist in career planning for school students and we
(CQUniversity) need to have greater visibility in schools, often
where the appropriate level of information is lacking.”
For more information contact the National Volunteer
Coordination Unit on 1300 397 730 or email your enquiry to
volunteer@thesmithfamily.com.au
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