Written by Eloise Jay
If you had asked me five years ago where I saw myself, studying paramedicine would not have been my answer. Like many people interested in healthcare, I always imagined becoming a nurse within NSW Health.
I was determined to pursue a career that helped others, but life had different plans for me. After being diagnosed with a brain tumour and undergoing treatment, I experienced Australian healthcare from a completely different perspective; not as someone wanting to work in the system, but as a patient relying on it.
That experience fundamentally changed how I viewed healthcare and the people who work within it. Growing up in rural and remote New South Wales, around 13 hours from where I now study in Port Macquarie, I had already begun to understand the challenges faced by healthcare services outside major cities.
Rural communities often rely heavily on paramedics as their first point of medical care. The reality is that the number of calls and patients often outweighs the available crews and resources, placing enormous pressure on an already stretched system. Seeing this firsthand gave me a deeper appreciation for the critical role paramedics play, particularly in rural Australia.
They are often the first clinicians on scene, making complex decisions in unpredictable environments and providing care to people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
When I decided to pursue paramedicine, I knew the journey wouldn’t be easy, but anything truly meaningful rarely is. Through determination, hard work and ambition, I was offered a place in the Bachelor of Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University.
For me, studying at Charles Sturt University felt like the right choice from the beginning. Knowing I was about to embark on such a significant life change, I explored the university’s support services early on. What stood out to me was how comprehensive and accessible that support was.
As someone managing the ongoing complexities of a serious medical diagnosis, knowing the university recognised and supported students in challenging situations gave me confidence that I could succeed academically while also looking after my health and wellbeing.
Now in my second year, I have grown immensely, both as a student and as a future clinician. This degree has confirmed that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.
I’ve had the opportunity to learn alongside passionate peers, supportive academic staff, and a wider community that shares the same goal of improving patient care.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: to give back to the communities and healthcare system that supported me during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Rural and remote communities deserve compassionate, skilled clinicians who understand the unique challenges they face.
Paramedicine is more than just a career path for me, it’s a way to contribute to something bigger than myself. As I continue this journey with Charles Sturt University, I know I am one step closer to doing exactly that.
Click here to explore Charles Sturt University’s support services.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
