Cadet set to make an impact in Aboriginal mental health

When it came to pursuing a career in nursing, Maria was inspired by her family, including her late Nan, Kathy.

“My Nan was a nurse. She went on to become one of the first directors of Aboriginal Health in New South Wales for the far western NSW area.”

“She helped get Aboriginal medical services within that area and other Aboriginal incentives for health.”
Maria said this, alongside aunts and uncles who have all worked in health in a range of roles motivated her to help people through a career as a nurse.

“Seeing their work has really moved me. I want to do that. I want to change people’s lives.”

The cadetship was the perfect launch pad for Maria’s career.

The NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship supports the recipients over the course of three years, providing mentoring, paid placements in hospitals while studying and the opportunity to experience a range of different areas of nursing to help decide which areas the graduates want to focus on.

It was during her cadetship that Maria knew it was mental health nursing she wanted to focus on.

The mentorship support provided over the cadetship was one of the key benefits of the program for Maria, saying “the support makes it totally worth it.”

“Anything I needed during my cadetship [my mentor] was there to help me. If I needed help with assignments, on placement or my grad interview practice questions, they would always check up me.”

At the end of Maria’s cadetship, she took initiative to voluntarily run an in-service to help educate others on Aboriginal history, generational trauma and mental health.

Maria wanted to increase awareness around the contributors of mental health issues for Aboriginal people.

“I wanted everyone to learn the history and understand the trauma that has caused these mental health issues [for Aboriginal people.]”

“When you complete the Aboriginal cadetship, you're the Aboriginal nurse. You're able to provide that support culturally and educate people.”

Maria urges any Aboriginal people thinking about a career in health to apply for the cadetship.

“[The program] helped me have that realisation that this is actually what I want to do. You’ll become the best nurse you can be through a cadetship.”

When asked what she would like to say to anyone considering applying for the cadetship, Maria said, 
“If you're going to study nursing as an Aboriginal person, definitely apply.”

“Take that opportunity, go for it, become a nurse, see where the path takes you. Nursing has so many different opportunities. Be proud of your culture and give it a go.”

Next up for Maria is continuing her recently commenced masters in acute mental health and developing her Aboriginal role within the mental health facility.

When asked what she is most excited about for the future, Maria said “being the best support I can be in Aboriginal mental health.”

Congratulations Maria on completing the cadetship and for a fantastic start to your career as an Aboriginal mental health nurse.

Applications are open now for the 2026 NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship, closing this Sunday 22nd February.

To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/aboriginal-strategy/cadetship/Pages/about.aspx