As World Health Day is marked this month, the spotlight is on healthcare workers like Gunnedah’s Bec Nott, whose career shift into nursing reflects both personal determination and a broader surge in demand across the sector.
Now 29, Bec is working as an enrolled nurse after completing her training through TAFE NSW in Gunnedah. Her journey into healthcare followed a very different start in agronomy and volunteer work with an ambulance service while living in Western Australia.
After relocating to Gunnedah in 2018, Bec decided to pursue a more meaningful career focused on helping others, enrolling in a Diploma of Nursing.
“I had a background in agronomy, but I realised I wanted a job that gave me personal fulfillment and allowed me to help people directly,” Bec said.
“Starting the course while eight months pregnant was challenging, but the support from my teachers and classmates was amazing. I made life-long friends in the course.
I loved learning how to care for patients and work with their families. I realised that my previous experience handling tough situations in agronomy and ambulance volunteering really prepared me to communicate and support people in difficult times. It made me even more certain that nursing was the right path for me.”
Healthcare and social assistance continue to be among the largest and fastest-growing employment sectors in New South Wales, driven by an ageing population and increasing demand for services across hospitals, aged care, disability and community health.
Bec’s experience reflects that trend, particularly in regional areas where workforce shortages remain a challenge. During her studies, she completed 10 weeks of work placements across Gunnedah, Tamworth and Narrabri, often balancing coursework with significant personal commitments.
Now working in community health, she supports patients and their families, drawing on the communication and people skills developed through both her previous career and hands-on training.
The 18-month Diploma of Nursing combines theoretical learning with practical clinical experience, preparing graduates for enrolled nursing roles while also offering a pathway to further qualifications. Bec is already looking ahead, with ambitions to become a registered nurse, move into midwifery, and eventually work in remote retrieval care.
World Health Day serves as a reminder not only of the essential role healthcare workers play, but also of the growing opportunities for people to build meaningful careers supporting their communities.
