Gurkirat Kaur

For me, nursing is more than a career. It reflects values that have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My cultural and religious beliefs have taught me that serving others, caring for people and contributing to humanity are among the most meaningful things we can do. Those values have shaped the way I see care and the kind of person I want to become.

My own experiences with mental health have also influenced my decision to become a nurse. They have given me a deeper understanding of how overwhelming difficult moments can feel, and how meaningful it can be to have someone beside you who listens, understands and does not judge. They strengthened my desire to be that person for others.

One moment during my very first clinical placement made this feeling even stronger. I cared for a patient experiencing low mood, and over my placement we developed a genuine connection. Just before I finished, she gave me a tiny heart-shaped hospital comfort cushion. With tears in her eyes, she hugged me and told me that I had a “light” in me and that the world needed more people like me. She also expressed how much she appreciated my clinical facilitator and the care she had received.

It was such a small moment, but it stayed with me.

I still carry that little heart in my bag when I go to work and especially when I go to placement. Whenever I see it, I remember her words and the feeling of that moment. In a way, it feels like a little sign that reminds me I am on the right path.

That experience reminded me that nursing is not only about what we do clinically. Sometimes, simply being present, listening and making someone feel seen can become the part of someone’s hospital experience they remember.

That is the kind of nurse I hope to become: someone who combines knowledge with compassion, serves with purpose, and never forgets the person behind the patient.

• Clinical reasoning and prioritisation: strengthening my ability to recognise changing patient needs, prioritise care and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Confidence in practice: becoming increasingly confident in taking initiative while recognising when to seek guidance.
• Mental health nursing knowledge: expanding my understanding of recovery-focused care, risk assessment and the needs of young people.
• Clinical decision-making: learning to connect assessment findings with appropriate nursing interventions and escalation.
• Reflective practice: using feedback and clinical experiences to identify areas for improvement and strengthen my practice.
• Leadership & teamwork: building confidence in contributing to the team, supporting peers and communicating effectively with healthcare professionals.
• Holistic care: continuing to consider physical, psychological, emotional and social factors when planning and providing care.

• University of the Sunshine Coast