Profiles
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Ms Rivka McNicol Graduate Diploma of Nursing Practice (Cardiac Care) Graduated: Graduate Diploma of Nursing Practice (Cardiac Care) (2008) Career: Associate charge nurse, Monash Medical Centre Prior to commencing her postgraduate studies at Deakin, Rivka McNicol had used her nursing skills in some interesting situations since first graduating as a nurse – none more so than the time she was trekking in the Himalayas and had to come to the aid of a middle-aged lady suffering from severe altitude sickness. But Rivka, who completed a Diploma in Nursing Practice (Cardiac Care) at Deakin in 2008, says it’s her postgraduate studies that have taken her to the next level in her work as an associate charge nurse at the Jessie McPherson Cardiac Care Unit within the Monash Medical Centre. ‘The skills I learned have made me a much better nurse and allowed me to apply for promotions and new roles. I loved the relevance of the course to my everyday work and the inspiration it gave me to remain up-to-date with current evidence and research.’ Rivka says that while she found juggling work, study and the rest of life’s commitments challenging, the ‘approachability’ and ‘accessibility’ of Deakin’s staff helped. ‘They would reply promptly to questions via email and were always available in tutorials and lectures to answer questions,’ she recalls. ‘They were all experts in their area and excellent teachers. The facilities were also excellent and I found it a great place to study.’ She says working as part of a study group was also key. ‘We could bounce ideas off each other, test each other and celebrate at the end of trimester.’ Rivka describes the completion of her postgraduate studies as a career highlight. ‘I would encourage anyone considering postgraduate studies to go for it. Despite its challenges it is a great career move. Prepare yourself to work hard and you will definitely reap the rewards for years to come.’ Find more information at http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/areas-of-study/nursing.php 
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3rd September 2010