Yasmine Ajaje

I am the eldest of fourteen grandchildren, with one younger sister. I went to Ascham School from kindergarten through to year 12 and growing up with the same group of girls was one of the highlights of my education. One of my favourite past-times is reading, so much so I joined the sub-com of the UTS Literary Society!

I love working as part of a team, all working to the same goal of helping vulnerable patients. I have always been passionate about advocating for the vulnerable members in our community, giving a voice to patient’s who tend to be ignored. Outside of a healthcare setting, I love volunteering and working within my community as a way of giving thanks.

For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by close family members, working in all healthcare positions, recounting the highlights of their day, the help and relief they were able to provide to their patients. This consistent reminder alongside my moral compass encouraged me to look for a lifelong career in healthcare.

Whilst I have always wanted to help people, I have always wanted to do more, to be able to provide at the most personal of levels, to truly get to know a patient and be a positive outlook in their life, all of which described the career of a nurse.

When choosing where to study nursing, I had only heard positive things about UTS. Past UTS students and ambassadors that came to my school highlighted how UTS is the #1 Young University in Australia, and I couldn’t agree more. I was introduced to the incredible teaching facilities provided to UTS students as well as the range of accessible resources to practice your clinical skills.

One experience I will never forget is the hands-on learning only provided through placement. I have had the privilege through UTS to study at a range of hospitals across Sydney, each with its own set of incredible memories. The experience of taking on your patient load is challenging but amazing, you don’t realise your knowledge and clinical skills until you are placed in a situation of responsibility. 

This degree has drastically improved my problem-solving skills. Through theory, clinical simulation labs and clinical placement I have learnt there is no barrier between anatomy theory, clinical skills, and therapeutic nursing practice. To be able to best care for your patient you must integrate every individual unit from your nursing degree and think outside of the box to be about to provide a nursing diagnosis.

Once finishing this degree, I would like to stay within women’s health and maternity. Further down the line, I would love to complete a Master in Nurse Practitioner, eventually working or volunteering overseas for a while.

My best piece of advice would be to think about your own goals, morals, and life experiences. Whilst nursing is incredibly rewarding it is also mentally challenging and the responsibility given to you can be extremely daunting. Whilst I could not recommend a career in healthcare enough, I would also ask anyone to think about the responsibility and the realities that would be handed to them. I wish everyone the best with their journey in this extremely rewarding career path.

Learn more about studying Nursing at the Faculty of Health.