A local baker from Ballina is on a new path to a rewarding career in nursing with a TAFE NSW Diploma of Nursing and encouraging other men to consider the exciting opportunities in the health sector.

Demand for caring professionals is increasing with employment for enrolled nurses projected to grow 7 per cent from 2018 to 2028. However, men still only make up 10 percent of all enrolled nurses in Australia [1].

Kevin Mills completed a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aging), is finalising a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Ballina and recently started working as a wardsperson and hospital assistant at Lismore Base Hospital.

He describes his new role simply as “very busy” supporting the medical staff and responding to the needs of patients at the hospital, which sees more than 30,000 admissions each year. Having previously trained and worked as a baker, Kevin turned to the health sector to pursue a rewarding career matching his positive attitude and patience with people.

“By studying at TAFE NSW I built a lot of self-confidence. I learnt a lot about health care and nursing and a lot about myself,” he said.

“I think other men would be quite surprised about how supportive all the nurses are in the workplace and the mix of both men and women is important.

Being in a care role is very rewarding; you get to see sick people go home better and hear other people’s stories. People entrust you with their health and that is very empowering,” he said.

TAFE NSW is building a pipeline of skilled people ready to enter the health sector. Current students in nursing and individual support courses will continue to study this term using connected learning supporting students with electronic and online media and modified face-to-face teaching where specifically required. This type of connected learning supports social distancing, while enabling students to progress their studies.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher Allied Health & Nursing, Gabrielle Rodda, said as a whole, the health sector encourages and promotes gender diversity because of the positive impact it has on work environments and patient care.

“TAFE NSW prepares students by teaching practical skills and facilitating quality workplace experiences so graduates can pursue career opportunities in hospitals, aged care and other health facilities and in the community across the public and private health sector,” Ms Rodda said.

Media contact: Andrew Woodcock, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner 0409 324 379

https://joboutlook.gov.au/Occupation?search=Career&code=4114