International nurse discovers more with a Master of Nursing
Gina Dolezel had been working as a Registered Nurse in Canada for 5 years before she moved to Australia to study a Master of Nursing.
The post-graduate course combines clinical placements with face-to-face learning to build on the knowledge students have gained in their previous professional and academic experience.
For Gina this meant combining her professional experience in Canada with the Australian healthcare system.
“I tell people that I learned about the Canadian healthcare system while I was studying in Australia. The professors at Sydney Nursing School were great – they often had me comparing and contrasting the Canadian healthcare system with the Australian healthcare system to make the content more applicable and translatable for me.”
It was a great experience. I got first-hand experience in the Australian healthcare system, and could speak to other healthcare professionals about our two systems and work cultures. I learned more this way than I would have just by reading about it.
She gained further practical experience by working as a Nurse during her time in Australia. As a trained and licensed Canadian RN, she could get a license to practice in Australia, and worked at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on different units.
“It was a great experience. I got first-hand experience in the Australian healthcare system, and could speak to other healthcare professionals about our two systems and work cultures. I learned more this way than I would have just by reading about it.”
After graduating, Gina moved back to Canada, where she worked with a number of different Schools of Nursing in the Toronto area, teaching first and second year nursing students, before moving into geriatric care.
In her current role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Geriatrics, Gina works with an interprofessional team that aims to improve quality of life for frail community-dwelling older adults.
“My role is to improve the knowledge and skill of the team, as well as provide internal consultation and geriatric nursing experience.”
“While I did not go into nursing to be a leader, I always gravitate towards leadership roles. I feel that as a nurse it is my duty to be my patient’s advocate. I welcome these roles - this is always why I chose the Masters of Nursing.”
The University of Sydney's Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) builds on your previous undergraduate education, preparing you for work in local, national and international healthcare settings.
