"All It Takes Is One Phone Call": Renee's Journey to the Diploma of Nursing with IHNA

' Care for me means putting someone else first — Renee '

When you grow up in a small town or a remote community, big dreams can feel very far away.

For Renee, nursing wasn't just a career idea – it was deeply personal. Today, she's studying her Diploma of Nursing with the Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA), but her story starts in a tiny Victorian town and the Northern Territory.

This is how she explains the heart behind her decision to become a nurse.

Then come back to read how she went from "there's nothing here for study" in Katherine… to practising clinical skills in a modern nursing lab on campus.

From Mildura to Katherine to IHNA: Meet Renee

Renee was born and raised in Mildura, a small town in the state of Victoria. She spent 18 years there before moving to Katherine in the Northern Territory, and eventually found her way back to her hometown again.

But something bigger was quietly forming in the background: a calling to care.

When her brother was diagnosed with cancer, everything shifted.

“So I chose nursing because of my brother. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer. But seeing the nurses and the team that he had around him throughout the whole course is where I went, I want to do that.”

In the midst of all the fear and uncertainty, she watched the nurses arrive – day after day – with kindness, competence, and calm. That's when she realised what kind of person she wanted to become.

“I want to be the person that helps make someone smile at the end of the day when they’re having a really horrible day, when they feel like the world is turned upside down. All it takes is one person to make them feel better and I want to be that.”

What "care" means to Renee

Renee doesn't discuss nursing solely in terms of tasks or procedures. For her, it's an emotional and human commitment.

“It’s being a sense of calm in a storm.”

She describes nursing as:

• Taking your time
• Having patience
• Building resilience

Indeed, healthcare is a challenging industry to work in. But, as she says:

“It’s such a hard industry to work in but it’s really rewarding if you let it.”

That mindset is exactly what the Diploma of Nursing at IHNA is designed to nurture: real clinical skills, as well as the emotional strength to stand beside patients on their toughest days.

Why Renee Chose IHNA's Diploma of Nursing

When Renee started looking at where to study the Diploma of Nursing, there was one thing that stood out about IHNA:

Smaller class sizes. More personal support.

“I chose IHNA because there are smaller class sizes… you get that more one-on-one time. It’s more personalised to your learning.”

Instead of being one face in a large lecture, she wanted a space where:

• Trainers know your name
• You can ask questions without feeling lost
• You get more in-depth detail and more practical time

“If you have smaller class sizes, you do get more in-depth detail of how to do things. You get more practical time… and it’s easier to become a better nurse when you have great teachers and adequate time.”

For students who want to actually feel confident doing the skills – not just pass the theory – that matters.

Falling in Love with the Campus Experience

As part of her journey with IHNA, Renee chose to study at the Brisbane campus – a decision that combined both adventure and practicality.

“I chose Brisbane campus purely because I’d never been here before.”

Coming from the Northern Territory at the time, she wanted a fresh start in a new place. What really sealed it for her was the nursing lab.

“When I saw it I’m like, that is absolutely gorgeous. And then you actually see it in person and it is even more gorgeous.”

The fully set-up medical environment – beds, equipment, practice spaces – felt overwhelming at first, but in the best way. It looked like the future she was working towards, right there in front of her.

She also loved how convenient everything felt:

• The campus is located centrally, close to food and shops for breaks
• It's easy to access via public transport
• Anything she needs during the study day is "just right there”

“Because I had to travel so far… all of those things that came together really made me go, yes, that’s where I want to be.”

Clinical Placement: From Nerves to Confidence

Every nursing student knows the word "placement" comes with equal parts excitement and nervousness.

“Getting there can seem really exciting but also nerve-wracking.”

Renee talks about how the team at IHNA made that transition smoother by taking care of the details:

• Where are you going for placement
• What will your hours be
• Who your contact person is on-site

“They make sure they set you up to succeed, not to fail.”

As she moved through each task – even things she'd practised many times, like wound care – the nerves were still real. But so was the support.

“If you can do it at your most nervous moment and still succeed, you can do it in any situation.”

That's the power of a well-structured Diploma of Nursing placement: not just ticking off hours, but building genuine confidence in real-world environments.

Teachers Who Treat Failure as a Learning Curve

One name that holds great significance for Renee is SOM, the course coordinator for IHNA's Brisbane campus.

“She’s been one of the most kind and supportive people in terms of making sure that I’m well looked after because I’m coming so far away… even if I have failed something, she’s given me the knowledge and everything else to succeed.”

Renee's favourite line sums up the culture she's experienced:

“Failure here isn’t a failure, it’s a learning curve – and that I really love.”

It's not just one person either. She describes all the teachers:

• Sitting beside students
• Going through things "one by one by one”
• Adjusting their teaching style to match how each student learns

“Not everyone learns the same way and they’re well aware of that. They make adjustments so that you can be the best nurse that you can be.”

For many students, that can be the difference between quietly dropping out… and pushing through to graduation.

Big Dreams: From Diploma of Nursing to Oncology

Renee is clear that the Diploma of Nursing is just the beginning.

“My goal after my Diploma of Nursing is to go on to my Bachelor of Nursing. It’s to learn more so I can help more people.”

Long term, she wants to specialise in oncology nursing – working with people who have cancer, inspired directly by her brother's journey.

“I’d like to work with people who have cancer and continue my education so I can help people.”

The Diploma gives her:

• Practical skills
• Clinical placement experience
• A pathway into further study

It's the bridge between "I want to be a nurse" and actually doing the work.

Her Message to Future Nursing Students from Remote or Regional Areas

If you're reading this from a place where there "is nothing" in terms of education, this part is for you.

“Being from a remote place doesn’t need to stop your education. If you want to be a nurse, then be one. Find somewhere that suits you.”

Renee's advice is simple and practical:

• Do your research
• Look at the campus and what's around it
• Check accommodation options
• Make sure you can afford it
• Talk to someone on campus about your options

“Because all it takes is one conversation to start a dream that you never thought was real.”

She introduces herself like this:

“I’m Renee and I’m from Katherine, where there is nothing, especially in terms of education. But all it takes is one phone call, one message to start your education journey.”

And then she adds:

“IHNA is probably one of the best places you can start, and you can build yourself and they can grow with you as well.”

Ready to Start Your Own Diploma of Nursing Journey?

If you see even a little bit of your story in Renee's – maybe you're from a small town, a remote area, or just feeling unsure if you're "ready" – this is your sign.

At IHNA, the Diploma of Nursing offers:

• Small, supportive classes
• Hands-on practical training in modern nursing labs
• Structured, well-organised clinical placements
• Trainers who treat you as a person, not just a student number
• A pathway towards your Bachelor of Nursing and beyond

👉 Want to talk through your options?
Book a chat with our team and find out how the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing with IHNA could work for you.

👉 Ready to take the first step?
Click here

Because, as Renee says, all it takes is one phone call, one message… to start a future you never thought was possible.