Bundaberg mum inspired by own experience to help others

Now in the second stage of an 18-month-long Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) at TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus, Melanie Jones is on the path to becoming an enrolled nurse, with her focus on one day working in oncology and providing support to others during their cancer journey.

At just 27-years-old, Melanie was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer and told she’d never have children.

“Obviously I just cried for days. I was in shock, as you always think ‘It won’t happen to me, I’ll be alright’," said Melanie.

“I felt really numb and lost. I had so many unanswered questions for my new future. Will I get better? Will I need chemotherapy? Why did this happen to me?” she said.

“I had the procedure done in Alaska (where I was living at the time) to remove the cancer off my cervix. I had never felt more alone and scared than I did that day. Having no family with me and supporting me emotionally was really hard. So after that procedure I chose to move back to Australia and be with my family.”

After undertaking a whole other challenge in IVF, Melanie’s story is a happy one; she’s now 17 years cancer-free, and a loving mum to her now 11-year-old son. But while she loves her job caring for the region’s more senior citizens, helping others going through the same experience she did has remained a dream she has hoped to make a reality.

“Having been there myself—a cancer diagnosis—I’m really passionate about helping others going through it,” Melanie said.

“My ultimate goal in working in oncology as a nurse is to keep patients comfortable and be as compassionate as I can – give them empathy and respect and let them feel loved and wanted and not feel alone. They are important and they matter,” shared Melanie.

So when the Queensland Government announced it was expanding its Fee Free TAFE funding to cover the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)—meaning she will pay nothing for her training and ultimately her qualification—Melanie realised this was her chance to start the next chapter of her career.

“I probably wouldn’t have done the diploma now had it not been subsidised, but I definitely would have done it down the track,” she said. “It definitely takes the financial burden off my family by being free.”

“My husband, son and family support me 100 per cent with my new career pursuit. My parents come up from New South Wales to help out when I need to go on placement. They’re very proud of me and I am very lucky to have them in my corner all the way. 

“As an older student, I at times think ‘I can’t do this’, but they give me the support and encouragement I need, as I know I can,” said Melanie.

Further to the affordability of the training, Melanie is enjoying the study experience – from the course content and teachers to TAFE Queensland’s training facilities – particularly the clinical training space.

“It is set up exactly like a hospital ward and is very useful for training purposes. They have all the equipment that we need to learn on,” Melanie said.

“The teachers are amazing. They are very supportive and knowledgeable. We role play manual observations, vital signs and assessments there, and we do manual handling too.

“I’ve learnt a lot so far—from neurovascular assessments, to infection control, anatomy and physiology, through to patient admission and discharge—but I’m anticipating this second stage will be a bit harder. Learning how the body works and how all those functions work separately to make it work as one, is quite interesting. Our bodies are truly amazing.”

Melanie is very satisfied with her new career pursuit and encouraged others considering following suit to seize the opportunity.

“Anyone thinking of doing the fee free nursing training at TAFE Queensland I would say do it. The end will be so rewarding and worth it and you will feel so accomplished,” said Melanie.

“I procrastinated for years to do this course, thinking I am probably ‘too old’ for this, but after starting I realised that I am not that old, really.

“I haven't studied in so many years, so I won’t lie – it’s not easy. It’s a full-time (three-days per week) course, with studying and assessments, but it can be done; you just need to manage your time appropriately.”