Graduation day is just the beginning for new Barwon Health nurse
Media release
When Simon Moore graduates as a registered nurse this week, he will have achieved a life-long ambition to work in a sector that genuinely cares about people.
After considering nursing as a potential career when he was younger, Mr Moore spent nearly a decade working in hospitality before completing a degree in environmental science. It was while working on a range of environmental projects that Mr Moore realised he might have to head back to study again.
"That pull to study nursing was too strong. I realised I wanted to be working more closely with people and providing real support in times of need," Mr Moore said.
With his wife and two-year-old daughter by his side, Mr Moore, now 40, will be among more than 200 students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery to be awarded degrees from Deakin University today and among nearly 900 nursing and midwifery students to graduate from Deakin this year.
In four ceremonies over two days at Deakin’s Costa Hall, more than 1100 graduates will receive their degrees from the Faculties of Health, Business and Law, Arts and Education and Science, Engineering and Built Environment. Hundreds more will have their degrees conferred in absentia.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said graduation ceremonies were always a highlight and a wonderful celebration of university achievement.
"Graduation days are incredibly joyful, not just for the students but also for the teaching and professional staff at Deakin," Professor Martin said.
"Obtaining a university degree is a huge accomplishment and we are always excited to see our graduates go out and take their place in the community."
Mr Moore said completing his Bachelor of Nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic and with a newborn baby at home was a challenge, but the enormous support of his wife and teaching staff from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Deakin made all the difference.
His hard work paid off when he was offered a graduate nursing position in post-anaesthetic care at Barwon Health.
"The role was number one on my preference list and I'm so excited to now be working with such a great team at University Hospital Geelong," Mr Moore said.
"We had just moved from Melbourne when I started studying at Deakin's Waterfront Campus and this really cements our future as a family living in Geelong."
