“I’ve grown as a person. I’ve got more confidence. If I can go back and study, in my 40s with four kids, I’m pretty sure I can do anything I set my mind to.” — Paula Herbert
“It was extremely nerve-wracking on that first day. I was expecting to be the ‘old chick’ in the room when in fact we were all of varying ages. I was also worried about whether I could handle the study. What I found was a welcoming place offering lots of support and encouragement. ”
Paula enrolled for the Diploma in Enrolled Nursing at Otago Polytechnic and has really enjoyed the student experience.
“The people I’ve met along the way – classmates, lecturers, the patients, people I’ve worked with while on placements – have all been great.”
“I’ve grown as a person. I’ve got more confidence. If I can go back and study, in my 40s with 4 kids, I’m pretty sure I can do anything I set my mind to.”
“The greatest challenges have been ‘internal’: prioritising home life, kids, sports, study, assignments due in, and running a business, all while trying not to have the kids feel they were missing out was my biggest issue.”
Keen to enter the workforce as a nurse, Paula hasn’t ruled out further study one day.
“My first priority now that I’ve completed my diploma is definitely to get a job. After that, who knows? Maybe apply for the Bachelor of Nursing and head back to Otago Polytechnic for a few more years of study.”
Find out more about Otago Polytechnic’s 2020 Health programmes. Visit: www.op.ac.nz
