LOCAL nurse Christine Mackrell's 15 year career with Euroa Health has been a remarkable journey, from starting as a personal care assistant (PCA) to becoming an enrolled nurse (EN) and to now being qualified as a registered nurse (RN).
The path to become a registered nurse was not always easy for Ms Mackrell, who had to balance life as a single mother, adapting technology, and the rising cost of nursing placements across the state.
After finishing her studies in November of last year, Ms Mackrell was able to celebrate her graduation in May this year at a ceremony in Shepparton.
Originally, the plan was to be a veterinarian, with Ms Mackrell even doing internships with Euroa's well–known "Bob the Vet".
The plan hit a hitch when she found out you needed straight As to qualify for the course.
Latest Stories
"I wanted to be a vet but you needed higher grades than a doctor," Ms Mackrell said.
"I suppose an animal can't tell you what's wrong with them."
After years of work in the Seven Creeks Hotel, Ms Mackrell said she needed to look towards a job that would have better long–term outcomes for her and her family.
"I originally did my PCA in Benalla," she said.
"After that I stayed in Euroa and decided I wanted to do my EN certification in 1996, which took me three years part–time.
"I had to study and work at the same time while being a single mother.
"Putting my son through his education first was the priority but he was also the one who pushed me to go back to school."
In addition to the motivation her son provided her to keep progressing with her career, Ms Mackrell recognised the other mentors in her career who helped her get to this point.
"Betty Siede, who is now a resident at GraniteHill, was a huge motivation," she said.
"She graduated when she was in her eighties and used to study in New South Wales on a week on–week off basis which was just unbelievable to me.
"I was on track to graduate at 50 and it made me feel that if she could do it, I could too."
Ms Mackrell also thanked Valerie Smith, who helped prepare her for the rigours of studying and the modern technology used in the programs.
"Computers were a big change for me when studying," Ms Mackrell said.
"I came to study with no experience on how to use them.
"Valerie Smith was a real help when it came to how to study properly.
"She taught me how to reference properly, how to write proper sentences, it was like going back to school.
"I needed to do both a computer course and nursing course at the same time, and I always found the nursing easier."
The opportunity to become a RN arose during her studies in the EN course, with the possibility seeming like a natural progression to Ms Mackrell.
"I did the EN for two years and they said I could have the opportunity to do the RN as part of the studies," she said.
"It involved a lot of placements, and that's tough because you don't get paid for the travelling, your time or anything.
"So I took six months to get some money behind me and then decided to go back and get my RN.
"I finished my course in November 2021 and was able to celebrate the graduation in May this year in Shepparton."
The journey was less conventional than most, but the team at Euroa Health and the wider community are undoubtedly proud of Ms Mackrell's achievements.
"I think I was the oldest in my class for both the EN and RN courses, I finished my course in November and turned 50 in December," she said.
Plans are already underway for more learning, with her son continuing to be a motivation in her life.
"Now my son turns to me and says, so what do you want to do next?" Ms Mackrell said.
"For now, I say leave me alone!"
"I'm content at the minute but I do want to look into diabetes education, that's a passion for me.
"I've got a family connection with the disease and want to learn more about that and how to help."
Euroa Health expressed their congratulations to Ms Mackrell for the phenomenal work over her 15 year career with the organisation and say they are always looking to support locals who are interested in working in Aged Care or Nursing.
