Ethan Watters

(Accelerated)

Please give little bit of background about yourself – childhood, family, schooling.
I grew up in Newcastle with two other siblings, and spent many afternoons being minded by my grandmother as a child while she in medical records in a regional hospital. My grandmother worked as a clinical coder (who sort through medical records and attach numbers for various diseases or procedures for funding and statistics), while my grandfather delivered medical oxygen.  My mum left her job in the NSW Police Force to pursue dental nursing, while my uncle finished his Bachelor of Medicine around the same time – so I grew up in a bit of a medical based family.  I attended a public primary school, and a private secondary school.

What made you want to study this degree?
I had always had my heart set on pursuing nursing or medicine as a career, but I had had a realisation in high school that nurses did the ‘hands on’ work in hospitals – where the doctors made the orders but nurses carried them out and monitored for changes.  Nurses were the hands and heart of the hospital, and that’s what eventually made me choose nursing alone.

Why did you choose to study at UTS?
I remember sitting with my careers advisor rather early in senior school planning out ways to get into UTS and during year 11/12 it was a rather stressful time so I had completed my Certificate III AIN course as a TVET option and had to split year 12 over two years.  In the final year of year 12, I used this Cert III course to get entry and recognition into the Diploma of Nursing program which would allow me to work as a nurse during my degree to get a higher rate of pay and a solid knowledge base to take with me.  I chose UTS for the reputation it had, the excellent options for clinical rotations, the breadth of subjects that made up the degree and the guaranteed recognition leading to ‘12 months off’ my degree.

What is the most rewarding aspect of the course?
The course has been rewarding in so many ways – through creating friendships, professional networking and the development of knowledge.  I’ve made numerous friends through my degree who ended up colleagues of mine afterward, and the support I received from both them and the University is what really made my degree possible.  I was invited to undertake Honours research from UTS, and that was the best email I’ve received.  It made my hard work and study pay off knowing someone had recognised it and saw something in me.  The little after class conversations with favourite lecturers are some of the fondest memories I have of uni.

Do you feel that you have changed and developed during your studies?
I definitely have, both personally and professionally.  The course has given me such a broad and solid knowledge base to take into clinical practice or further study.  Studying at university has started a new quest for further learning – coming into practice with the amount of research we’ve done allows you to question current practices, ensures you provide evidence-based interventions, and gives you the ability to provide outstanding holistic patient care.  It’s given me the confidence to do more advanced skills at work, but has also given me a great amount of confidence for higher level thinking.

What are the assessments like?
Assessments through the degree are really a mixed bag, but it’s definitely a welcome thing.  Essays require you to answer a question or research a topic with lots of strong evidence to support your points or stance.  These, combined with multiple-choice or short answer exams comprise the majority of the degree.  Different subject coordinators choose their assessment methods, and I’ve had nearly every form of assessment though the degree, it’s quite comprehensive – from speeches to simulations, case studies to presentations – there’s definitely a good mix.

Have you found it easy to find study support (if you needed it)?
The University has so many support options for students that are available.  ‘Casual’ support from friends and lecturers is always wonderful, but sometimes there are times when you need a little more.  There are services to help with writing, which I definitely used initially when I lacked confidence and this was a matter of dropping in or making an appointment to look at what I’d written.  There’s always workshops in the library to help with researching or referencing, student services run programs for study skills and staff are only an email away.  Help is easily available, and don’t be afraid to ask for it!

Where has your new degree taken you?
The BN program has allowed me to have various clinical placements all around Sydney in both public and private hospitals.  This let me have a taste of other specialties than those I was familiar with and I presently work in the Emergency Department at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.  It has allowed me to work as a student representative with the Faculty, as well as facilitated involvement in various professional opportunities as part of this.

What are your plans for the future?
When I complete my grad program, I anticipate returning to UTS (or another university) to complete postgraduate studies or research.  My ideal position would be a mixed clinical/research role to allow me to publish studies of my own, or to get into teaching.

What advice would you give to future students?
Do whatever it takes to get organised – if it involves buying numerous coloured pens and having post-its everywhere, do it.  Use EndNote from the beginning, it makes it a lot easier than mid-way through your degree as you’ll frequently use certain textbooks.  Learn how to reference properly, you do lose marks for it and once you ‘get’ it, you’ll be able to do it in your sleep.  Make friends with lecturers and the library, they’re your best resources.  Finally, don’t forget to take time out and don’t be afraid to ask for help!