Lina Butrus

About Lina

I was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq with my parents and younger sister. I spent most of my education in a Christian Armenian private school.

We had to leave Iraq to seek a refugee visa for a better and safer country. We travelled to Lebanon, where we applied to United Nations to go overseas. When I reached Lebanon, I was 16 years old, but I had to start working to help my family. After spending almost two years in Lebanon, Australia provided us with a humanitarian visa, and now, I have been in Australia for five years.

I am thankful for the whole journey. It taught me a lot and made me a different person: I became more responsible, passionate to help people, and more empathetic towards people’s situations and circumstances, which I believe will make me a better nurse.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about helping people and learning about human anatomy and physiology to construct a clinical diagnosis. Nursing is an ongoing learning profession; there is always something new to learn and grow in knowledge, making it the perfect fit for my personality.

My passion started with science, including biology and chemistry. Therefore, I decided to study a Diploma of Laboratory Technology majoring in Pathology Testing for two years. I loved studying different diseases and treatment options; I liked the research component of the degree that made me feel I can make a difference.

Although the science field was rich with knowledge and research, I felt that it lacked human interaction, including clients and patients. After realising my passion for helping people, communicating, and learning more about the clinical field, I decided to move into the healthcare field where there are direct impacts on patients’ quality of life and well-being.

Why UTS?

I chose UTS is because it is one of the best universities for nursing education. The nursing facilities that I witnessed at Open Day UTS were amazing! The simulation facilities have state-of-the-art equipment that enhances simulation education, like the manikin. It is able to talk, sweat, vomit, even open and close their eyes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, UTS staff were very empathetic and supportive overall. The tutors were available online most of the day; some of them even offered to perform extra zoom sessions to discuss the upcoming assessment.

UTS has many services to supports students’ academic development, including UTS HELPS, writing workshops, volunteer students to help improve conversational skills for English as a second language speakers, and many other services that UTS provides to support their students to pass their degree with the best results possible.

How has studying nursing changed you?

This degree has made me more aware of my values and beliefs and how I can utilise them in my care to enhance my cultural competency. Nursing changed me as a person. It made me empathetic and more understanding of human nature. For example, patients with cancer might not need me to treat their disease as much as they want someone to listen and be there for them.

Nursing provides the opportunity to build a therapeutic and professional relationship with patients. Many patients thank me not because I gave them the medication or checked their physical assessment; they thank me for actively listening to their struggle with illness, their family, and for involving them in the decision-making process to ease their experience in the hospital.

What's next?

When I started working for UTS:HELPS as a U:PASS leader teaching Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1, I realised that I appreciate teaching and tutoring as it is very rewarding. My future plan is to work as a nurse for few years and apply for a clinical nurse educator position. I am also planning to undertake a postgraduate degree in nursing once I explore which nursing field I am most passionate about.

My advice for future nursing students

If you are interested in science, you consider communication as strength of yours, and you are passionate about the human body, then definitely approach healthcare, it is the right place to expand your skills and information. Nursing is unlimited, and the workplace can start from a very critical workplace to primary health care facilities. There are many options to expand your career after nursing, such as becoming a midwife in less than two years!

If you are interested in healthcare but do not know where to start, nursing is your next destination.

Learn more about Nursing at UTS Health.