Passionate advocate builds nursing career on caring
It’s a year of milestones for Rockhampton’s newest nurse Becky Bowen – but the determined mum, advocate and community volunteer isn’t slowing down for the celebrations.
She’s just started her graduate role at Rockhampton Hospital’s Surgical Ward, after three hectic years studying CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Nursing.
This year also marks a decade since Becky Bowen first began studies with CQU, tackling a Certificate IV in Community Services – a decision that changed countless lives in her community.
But it’s her daughter Chelsea’s approaching 18th birthday that marks her happiest achievement – and Becky said her children drive her to make a difference.
“I had my son Jayden at 18, and then my daughter at 22, and because she had a complex genetic disorder, thinking about a career was on hold - she needed me,” Becky explained.
Chelsea was diagnosed with Phelan McDermid syndrome, and Becky’s determination to support Chelsea’s development put her on a path to working in disability support.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support for Chelsea gave Becky time to take on CQU’s Community Services qualification, and she’s now spent 15 years working with Central Queenslanders with disabilities.
When local families told her about the long wait for people with disabilities to access nursing interventions under the NDIS, she shifted her focus to nursing.
In 2021 she took on the Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) program, CQU’s free university pathway program, earning direct entry into a full-time Bachelor of Nursing degree.
“I did STEPS because it had been a while since I’d studied – and honestly it was the best thing I ever did!” she said.
“It gave me the confidence to keep going, and realise what I was capable of - I promote STEPS to everyone!”
Last month Becky finished her last disability support shift, and the next week had her first nursing one.
“Through all my studies, it’s increased my knowledge to advocate for my daughter, and also to understand complex needs of the people I work with,” she explained.
“I really have that drive to make a difference in people’s lives.”
While studying, footy-mad Becky has also volunteered 20 hours a week as a trainer for local rugby league teams, and completed nursing placements, around working and caring for her family.
“I just love helping! I get so much just pure joy from helping people, whether that’s a volunteer role or a paid role, it’s just so wonderful - and hopefully all the goodness I put into the world will come back to our family, too!” she said.
Becky crossed the stage at CQUniversity Rockhampton Graduation in December last year, with her family cheering her on.
“I am only the second person in the family to complete a degree, and I wanted to show my family, regardless of your age, there’s always room to grow,” she said.
She hopes to do more study, but for now she’s starting her new career with confidence.
“At CQU, and in all my placements, I was really blessed with the nurses around me, it was just amazing to have the encouragement and guidance,” she said.
“From my experience as a mum and in the disability sector, I know there’s a lot of people out there who don’t have strong advocates around them, and I’m really passionate to be that advocate within the health system, for all my patients.”
Certificate IV in Community Services is a Fee-Free TAFE course for eligible Queensland applicants, and STEPS is CQU’s free university entry course.
Learn more about career pathways at CQUniversity’s website.
