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Tracey turns grief into growth
For 46-year-old Tracey Travers, the road to a nursing career was paved with heartache. By the age of 41, she had lost both of her parents, each to long battles with illness.
“Caring for Mum was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it also opened my eyes to the incredible impact good healthcare can have,” said Tracey.
“That experience lit a fire in me—I wanted to do something meaningful, to give back the way those nurses did for my family.”
Leaving behind her nine-year career in customer service to start again as a nursing student was daunting, but Tracey was driven to transform her grief into growth and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Tracey began her journey into healthcare by enrolling into the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) at TAFE Queensland.
“After completing the Certificate III, I secured a job as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) at an aged care facility on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“But after a while, I realised I wanted more. I wanted to expand my skills and take on greater responsibilities.”
Balancing the demands of full-time work, Tracey then took the next step by enrolling into the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) at TAFE Queensland’s Southport campus.
Within 18 months her hard work paid off when she was promoted to an Enrolled Nurse (EN) at the same aged care facility - a role that brought her closer to fulfilling her passion for patient care.
However, after becoming an Enrolled Nurse, Tracey’s thirst for knowledge and growth didn’t stop.
“I was determined to take my career to the next level, so I enrolled into TAFE Queensland’s Bachelor of Nursing (HED007) to become a Registered Nurse (RN),” said Tracey.
“Hands-on learning really suits me, so it was an easy choice to continue my education at TAFE Queensland,” she said.
“I’m a practical, common-sense learner, and the simulated labs and placements gave me the confidence and skills I needed to excel in my roles.”
Tracey also credits her teachers, who are still active in the industry, for providing real-world insights and making learning accessible.
“They bring so much experience from working in healthcare themselves, and they always take the time to explain things in a way that makes sense. It’s what kept me going,” she said.
The recognition of Tracey’s commitment to education came when she was named TAFE Queensland’s 2024 Student of the Year at her Diploma graduation ceremony.
“Finding out I won an award was a mix of shock and pride,” she said.
With her Diploma granting her one year of credit toward her Bachelor of Nursing, Tracey is now only two years away from reaching her ultimate goal—becoming a Registered Nurse in either the Emergency Department or the Intensive Care Unit.
As she continues her studies, she looks forward to making a meaningful impact on countless more lives, just as those nurses once did for her family.
Tracey with her parents