Amelia starts journey in health with nursing assistant role in Alpha
By Greg Chapman
Amelia White is taking the first meaningful steps to a career in nursing, with her CQUniversity training helping her secure employment at the Alpha Multipurpose Health Service.
The proud Bidjara woman was recently offered a role as an Assistant-in-Nursing (AIN) with the service and is expected to start in 2026 – mere months after completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance at CQU in Emerald.
“It feels great to be able to get a job in Alpha, it is such a small, beautiful community. I am excited to start working there to care for the community,” Amelia said.
“I decided to study my Certificate III in Health Services Assistance because I knew this was the start for my nursing career.
“The hands-on work and meeting different people from different walks of life definitely grabbed my attention. I love listening to people's stories. I also think for me personally, helping those in need to better health will make me love my job even more.”
Amelia said she was well-prepared for the new AIN role, thanks to the training she received at CQU – delivered as part of the Queensland Department of Trade, Employment and Training’s Rural and Remote Pilot program.
Flexible solutions were provided under the program, which considered Amelia’s circumstances and enabled her participation in real-time training.
“The course was great. The teachers delivered it perfectly,” she said.
“I was hesitant to apply at first because I thought there was no way I could go to campus an hour away, three-days-a-week with children so I actually withdrew from the course until the head of the Rural and Remote Pilot program, Vicki Lyons called me personally and said: ‘let's find a way to do this course to suit your needs’.
“In a matter of days, she called me back to say I could do the course via Zoom three-days-a-week. I still attended my mandatory placements which was always fun and good to meet the class, and teachers face to face.”
Now Amelia hopes to continue learning more and pursuing her goal of becoming a fully qualified nurse.
“I have already applied for my Diploma of Nursing for next year. Once I finish that I might even go onto my Bachelor of Nursing,” she said.
“This has been the best experience I have had. The Rural and Remote Pilot program has definitely been such a great experience. The teachers were great, and I've made lifelong friends.”
