Tanya Topham
My passion lies with being an advocate for individuals in need.
I was born, raised, and attended school in Western Sydney, where I undertook various leadership roles such as house captain and prefect. My background is Iranian-Australian. I enjoyed playing competitive tennis during my school years and volunteering at various charity events.
I am deeply passionate about the therapeutic role that nurses demonstrate when helping people during their most troubling times. This led me to embark on my nursing journey. Additionally, my passion lies with being an advocate for individuals in need, which nurses display throughout the years in their profession.
Through witnessing a family member experience the whole hospital admission and discharge journey, I quickly became aware of the vast levels of critical thinking and selfless care that nurses provide on a day-to-day basis. This inspired me to follow in their footsteps, by studying a Bachelor of Nursing. I believed nursing would be the perfect fit for my future career.
My inspiration to study nursing also came from my involvement in a cancer charity event during high school called ‘Relay for Life’, where I gained first-hand knowledge of experiences from health care workers, which only increased my desire to become a nurse.
I was the first person in my immediate family to study at university, and although this was a daunting leap, I am very happy with my decision.
Many factors influenced my decision to study a Bachelor of Nursing at UTS. In my research, I learned that UTS was ranked #1 in Australia and eleventh in the world for nursing and midwifery*.
I also learnt about the speciality practice subjects offered in the third year of the Bachelor of Nursing, which included subjects such as paediatric nursing, perioperative nursing, critical care nursing and many more. Students can attend ‘practice labs’ to revise practical content with state-of-the-art facilities conveniently located in the city. All these reasons ultimately made me choose UTS.
My experience with the wonderful clinical practice unit has been a highlight of my time at UTS. They are responsible for organising placements, liaising with hospitals and facilitators, coordinating clinical processes, and answering student enquiries regarding placements. I have witnessed how dedicated and timely they are, which is integral for ensuring great placement experiences!
This degree has allowed me to become a more compassionate person, and to think with greater empathy when providing care. I have learnt to appreciate how the basic skills of nursing, such as brushing someone’s teeth or feeding, can have a lasting impact on a patient’s health.
I plan to obtain a graduate Registered Nurse position after finishing my degree. In the future, I am interested in specialising in perioperative nursing, mental health nursing or cardiothoracic nursing through postgraduate study. Eventually, I would love to follow my passion for leadership and move into a leadership role within the discipline of nursing.
The most important advice I would give to someone considering studying nursing is to try obtaining work experience in a nursing setting before pursuing a bachelors. High schools offer work experience opportunities, and this is a great way to gain first-hand experience in a clinical setting before embarking on clinical placements.
To future students, plan your semesters to avoid cramming in work. Planning your semesters often involves considering assessment due dates, classes, and placements.
Also, say ‘yes!’ to any opportunity that comes up – like student nursing representative and ambassador roles. Being involved in various roles within the university enhanced my university experience. It has allowed me to gain wonderful friends and contacts for the future.
