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Graduate paramedic in driver’s seat of career
A Paramedic Science degree from the University of the Sunshine Coast has taken Kirsten Burke from Toowoomba to Townsville to Murgon, straight into an exciting job she loves.
Kirsten, 21, who attended Fairholme College at Toowoomba, was offered her choice of postings from a dozen ambulance stations across Queensland after completing her USC degree last year from Townsville, where she worked as a student paramedic for most of 2010.
Kirsten chose Murgon and started there two months ago as an advanced care paramedic. She was among the first cohort of Paramedic Science graduates at the USC Graduation ceremony at Sippy Downs on 20 April.
“I’m really thankful that I chose this degree because I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said. “It’s a challenging job that has made me grow immensely.”
Kirsten decided on Paramedic Science after missing out on a place in medicine and chose USC after reading a newspaper article about its new degree.
“I knew I’d enjoy working in the field and in patient care,” she said. “I formed a tight bond with other USC students and I loved the intimacy of the University.
“Our lecturers were employed paramedics with a great deal of experience in the Queensland Ambulance Service which meant they really prepared us for what happens on the road.
“The on-road, practical element of our degree ensured that we knew early on whether we could handle the pressure, adrenaline and quick decision-making.”
Kirsten said she was learning a great deal from her rural placement with a small team that regularly had to make decisions on hospital choices and the use of helicopters, for example.
“Murgon is a great place to consolidate what I’ve been taught at University. I’m working with some fellow USC graduates and a supportive medical community.”
More than 1,000 students completed degrees at USC in 2010.
– Julie Gatehouse