VIDEO: Graphic on screen: Interview with Mark Smith Talking about his change of career to become an Enrolled Nurse
Mark Smith standing in an operating suite in his nurse uniform.
VIDEO: Mark Smith standing in an operating suite in his nurse uniform.
Graphic on screen: Enrolled Nurse Mark Smith Ballarat Health Services Ballarat
AUDIO: My name’s Mark. I’ve over the last two years had training through Ballarat Health Services as a trainee nurse. And then I’ve started work here in the operating suite as a medication endorsed enrolled nurse. I started late in life as far as being a nurse.
VIDEO: Mark Smith putting on his surgical mask.
AUDIO: For the last twenty eight years I was in the motor vehicle industry, selling motor vehicles and also managing car dealerships.
VIDEO: Mark Smith washing his hands in the preparation area before entering the surgery.
AUDIO: Until 2009 when I started the traineeship with Ballarat Health Services. The enrolled nurse course was a real benefit for us as students. The practical hands-on experience that we received over two years – I don’t think you can replicate that in a university environment. And I think for me; being a late starter, that hands-on experience certainly did help me.
VIDEO: Mark Smith enters the operating suite.
AUDIO: When I decided to become a nurse a lot of people in my family and close friends, they were absolutely shocked. They all thought I was going to be a salesman for life. Um, I think my wife was a bit mortified to start with.
VIDEO: Mark Smith preparing implements in the operating suite.
AUDIO: But she could see I was passionate about becoming a nurse.
VIDEO: Mark Smith talking with a colleague at reception.
AUDIO: My nurturing side has definitely come out over the last two years. And I think that’s a big thing for me. My stress levels certainly in motor vehicles were quite high. And I can feel within myself that I’m a lot less stressed.
VIDEO: Mark Smith preparing implements in the operating suite.
AUDIO: The roles that you can go into in nursing are diverse. You’ve got aged care, um, paediatrics, um, you got ICU which is the Intensive Care Unit; you have emergency; and then you can specialise, you can become a clinical nurse specialist as well. So the opportunities are endless.
VIDEO: Mark Smith filling out paperwork outside the operating suite.
AUDIO: If you’re thinking of becoming a nurse, I think it’s something that’s very rewarding. You can leave work at the end of the day and knowing that you’ve helped somebody at their time of need. And I think that’s really, y’know, rewarding.
VIDEO: Mark Smith standing in an operating suite in his nurse uniform.
AUDIO: This is a new career. I’ve got twenty good years left in me, hopefully, of work and I can certainly forge a good career in nursing.
VIDEO: (fade to black)
Graphic on screen: State Government Victoria Insignia
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
© State of Victoria 2012