TWO aspiring local nurses have received $10,000 scholarships to assist them to continue their studies in the Riverland.
Third-year Flinders University nursing students Kerry Truscott, of Renmark, and Alana Stephenson, of Monash, were awarded the Kirsty Boden Memorial Nursing Scholarships recently, with the scholarship contributing to their 2020 studies at the university’s Renmark campus.
The scholarship is named in honour of Loxton-born nurse Kirsty Boden, who lost her life during the London Bridge terror attacks in 2017.
Ms Truscott said she felt “appreciative and honoured” to accept the scholarship which will allow her to carry out her life-long career aspiration.
“I remember dreaming of being a nurse when I was a child but didn’t really want to move to Adelaide after I finished high school and be away from family and friends,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get into it without having the campus up here because I couldn’t move the family to Adelaide, so we’re really lucky to have it up here.”
Ms Stephenson, who also works as a direct care attendant in an aged care facility, said pursuing a nursing degree allowed her to boost her skills and opportunities.
“I’ve worked in the healthcare system since I was 17, so all my colleagues encouraged me to upskill and do something different, and I enjoy it so I thought why not?” she said.
“It’s definitely been a really good experience.”
Ms Truscott and Ms Stephenson said they hoped to continue the legacy of Ms Boden, who they described as a “legend”.
“There’s a bit of pressure there, but it’s such a special honour,” Ms Truscott said.
“Hopefully we can live up to it and do our best.”
Ms Truscott said the funds from the scholarship would help to ease the financial pressure of studying.
“The funds come in very handy during the four months of placement we have to do this year,” she said.
“We don’t get any income from that, and some girls can’t work at their usual job when they are on placement so it definitely comes in handy for things like that.”