Katrina finds new purpose as a Diploma of Nursing teacher
By Greg Chapman
New CQUniversity Bundaberg Diploma of Nursing teacher Katrina Halloran says she has embraced a new responsibility and purpose to share her almost 30 years of experience with the caregivers of the future.
“I am very proud to be part of the dedicated teaching team here at CQUniversity. When I first meet our students, many are uncertain, tentative, and questioning their place in nursing,” she said.
“Watching their transformation into confident, capable professionals who are ready to meet the demands of a dynamic healthcare environment is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.”
Katrina joined CQU’s nursing team in January and brings a wealth of experience, having worked in hospitals and health services in Australia, the UK and Cambodia.
“Reflecting on my role as a teacher with the Diploma of Nursing represents a full-circle moment for me. The opportunity to share my knowledge of healthcare and the human experience with aspiring nurses is a responsibility that I embrace with respect and purpose,” she said.
“Sharing insights from my clinical experience, I strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping students connect the dots, spark curiosity, and ignite a passion for nursing that goes beyond the textbooks.
“These a-ha moments are some of the most powerful ways I can inspire our future caregivers. What brings me particular pride is nurturing those pivotal moments when students see the bigger picture and connect their technical skills with problem-solving, clinical reasoning, and genuine empathy. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to help shape their journey and I am proud to play a small part in that.”
Katrina said she always wanted to be a nurse, being drawn to a profession renowned for its trust, integrity and profound impact on people’s lives.
“At just 17 years old, I made the brave decision to leave my hometown, family, and friends to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing at pivotal time in Queensland’s healthcare history, as hospital-based training was transitioning to university education,” she said.
“It was a leap of faith that shaped the rest of my life.
“Since graduating in 1996, I’ve built a career that has spanned nearly 30 years filled with growth, purpose and extraordinary experiences.
“My journey began at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane and has since taken me across a wide spectrum of health care settings, including public and private hospitals, primary care, acute care and community health.
“Each role has enriched my understanding of what it means to be a nurse: to combine clinical expertise with compassion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others during their most vulnerable moments.”
One of the key messages she hopes to pass on to her students is “the importance of taking care of yourself – because only when you care for yourself can you truly care for others”.
“Nursing is a profession that offers incredible highs. The ability to make a meaningful difference in a patient's and their family's experience is among the greatest rewards this vocation has to offer,” she said.
“Yet alongside these highs, there will inevitably be lows. The emotional and physical demands are real, and they require not only skill and dedication but also self-awareness and self-care.
“Care for yourself with the same urgency, empathy, and grace you will offer to others. Your sustainability as a nurse depends on it. Remain curious. Stay open to learning and don’t forget to laugh along the way.”
