After becoming an RN in 2018, Patrick realised as he grew in his profession as a nurse, he was driven to learn more.
“I moved from Sydney to Orange in 2021 to study medicine, while working as a nurse in the hospital,” he said.
“As a nurse directly involved in patient care, I felt like as my skills developed and the more, I learned, the more I wanted to delve further into the science behind patient care, and the integrative way in which we diagnose and treat illness and disease.”
Patrick is settling into his new life at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and is currently completing placement with the sexual health team.
“I used to work as a transplant nurse, and I have seen firsthand the frontline effects for people living with things like Hepatitis C and liver damage,” he said.
“For me, working with people in the community-based interventions and services is just so important, because they contribute to people’s wellness, which is why I asked to spend time with the sexual health team.
“Working in the sexual health space means we can help treat and prevent serious illness at its inception.”
Patrick hopes to stay in Wagga Wagga once he has completed his medical training.
“I love working in regional areas, and Wagga is just so central to everything. The hospital here is well appointed and brand new and the teaching and support is exemplary,” he said.
“My goal is to complete my internship as a junior doctor here.”
