Kate Wickson

My nursing career has been shaped by experiences across rural, regional and metropolitan healthcare settings, and by a strong commitment to health equity, patient-centred care and culturally safe practice.

Before studying nursing, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Having lived most of my life with a disability, I found that in-person study did not work for me. After life-changing surgery in my early 20s, I was able to pursue nursing, and studying online with CQUniversity gave me the flexibility to recover at my own pace while living in rural and remote Queensland.

After completing my Bachelor of Nursing, I began my graduate year with Gold Coast Health, gaining experience across a variety of clinical environments. My interest in care coordination led me to the Gold Coast Integrated Care Project, where I discovered my passion for nurse navigation.

I then spent three years working as a Rural Generalist Navigator across Blackall and Barcaldine in Central West Queensland, supporting patients with complex health needs and developing a deep understanding of rural health challenges, service integration and health equity.

Today, I work as a Multicultural Nurse Navigator at Logan Hospital with Metro South Health, supporting culturally and linguistically diverse patients to navigate complex healthcare systems and access equitable, culturally responsive care. My role involves coordinating complex care, advocating for culturally safe healthcare and working with healthcare providers, community organisations, interpreters and families.

Completing my degree at CQUniversity gave me the clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice foundations to work across diverse healthcare settings. A career highlight has been gaining my current role, where I can combine my passion for learning about cultures with my commitment to health equity. I am also proud to be a finalist in the 2026 QNMU Nurse of the Year Award, which has given me a platform to advocate for nurse navigation and gold-standard culturally safe care.