Newly graduated student Gningla Taylor has always been passionate about closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health in her community and with first peoples across the world.
Thanks to what she labelled as “fulfilling” and “enriching” clinical placements at The University of Notre Dame Australia, she has been able to realise this dream.
Ms Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University’s Fremantle Campus on Thursday, 10 December 2015.
Along with more than 1000 graduates whom she joined on stage during the December Graduation Mass and Ceremonies, she farewelled Notre Dame University in front of family, friends and members of the University community.
A Wadjuk Nyungar woman, Ms Taylor’s love of nursing stems from her passion for helping others. With a good dose of encouragement from those close to her and a fair sum of determination, Ms Taylor says everyone can accomplish significant things.
“I am passionate about rural and community health and, being a proud Aboriginal woman, delivering positive health outcomes to my people is important to me,” Ms Taylor said.
“The clinical placements available to Notre Dame students were something I looked at before enrolling in the University. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to undertake a clinical placement with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Kalgoorlie. It was amazing to be surrounded by both health professionals of such a high standard as well as my fellow Aboriginal people.
“I am a practical learner and, as I have undertaken this degree, I have found that nursing is a theoretical as well as a practical course. One needs to be able to talk to people and have the ability to show compassion through actions and words. I feel like my competency in these areas has improved markedly through my clinical placements.”
Ms Taylor went on to say that the best aspect of studying at Notre Dame was the close-knit student community and the pastoral care provided by all staff.
“Nursing is such a wonderful profession because it can take you places you would never even dream of; I have realised this by studying at Notre Dame. The support from fellow students and staff has really helped me see that I can achieve my goals with the right amount of help and self-love.”
Senior Lecture and Aboriginal Student Academic Liaison in the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Dr Judith Wilson, said Ms Taylor actively contributed to the University community during her time as a student.
“Over the three years of her Bachelor of Nursing degree, Gningla was actively involved in extracurricular activities such as the Aboriginal network group on campus and AIME (the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) where she became involved in tutoring and supporting Aboriginal students at Lynwood High School,” Dr Wilson said.
Fresh out of the university environment, Ms Taylor will soon be rolling up her sleeves in order to put into practice the knowledge she has gained from both her courses and clinical placements.