Lifelong dream fulfilled for Charleville mother

University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) graduate Megan Glasgow has always thought working in her local hospital was where she should be.

It was this desire that led the Charleville mother-of-three to UniSQ’s End to End Bachelor of Nursing (Charleville) program.

The program was launched in 2022 as a way to bring university education to aspiring nurses in South West Queensland so they wouldn’t have to relocate from home or travel hundreds of kilometres to study.

Miss Glasgow is the first First Nations student to complete the program and has secured a graduate registered nurse position at Charleville Hospital.

“Travelling to study or complete placements or residential schools was impossible for me with my young family,” Miss Glasgow said.

“The End to End program at UniSQ allowed me to study locally and pursue my dream of becoming a registered nurse and working in my community.”

Delivered in partnership between UniSQ, South West Hospital and Health Service (SWHHS), Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), and Charleville State High School, the program allows students to study UniSQ’s Bachelor of Nursing at Charleville's SQRH Clinical Training Facility and connect with other students in their cohort.

Miss Glasgow and fellow graduates Cassandra Campbell, Lucy McLune and Karen Devine were recognised for finishing their degrees and securing graduate registered nurse positions in the South West during a recent celebration event in Charleville.

The event was attended by SQRH Director Professor Geoff Argus, Nurse Director Education for SWHHS Leanne Raatz, and Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun Radnedge.

The keynote speaker was National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Jenny May.

Miss Glasgow said she was looking forward to her first day at the Charleville Hospital on February 25.

“I have always wanted to help people, particularly families, children and infants,” she said.

“My passion for nursing stemmed from an early age, mainly from my grandmother, who was a nurse during World War II.

“Being able to stay local means I can still support my family but also thrive in my career and actively contribute to the community of Murweh by providing safe, effective and sustainable healthcare to rural and remote communities.”

End to End program coordinator Jessie Elliott said she was proud of all her students.

“This graduating cohort has truly been exceptional,” she said.

“Some of the students have been with me from the beginning of the program’s commencement in Charleville, and seeing them all gain a graduate registered nurse position now makes me truly honoured to have been part of their learning journey.

“Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also their resilience and adaptability in the face of new opportunities.”

UniSQ Head of School and Dean of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Linda Deravin said the program opened doors to higher education for rural students and helped meet the growing skills needs in rural healthcare.

“Without this training program, it would likely be significantly more challenging for these students to gain a degree,” Professor Deravin said.

“There are very few educational institutions in rural areas, which means travel is needed wherever they study.

“The closest university for some students is over 800km away.

“Many students also face financial constraints that could prevent them from pursuing higher education without the support of a dedicated training program.”

Learn more about UniSQ’s Bachelor of Nursing (Charleville).