BELLA CHASING A CAREER IN FIRST RESPONDER HEALTH CARE

The care she received following a major operation as a young teenager inspired 21-year-old Bella Willis to study nursing, but her ambition hasn’t stopped there, having just been accepted to study a Bachelor of Paramedic Science at Flinders University.

Studying through the YES Centre, Bella completed her SACE at the end of Year 11 in 2016.

During her time in YES she began her health journey studying Certificates in Health, Community Studies, Individual Support and Aged Care.

“YES helped establish good study practices,” Bella said. “I felt a lot more comfortable in there.”

“It customised learning to fit my interests. It was more individualised and I liked that.”

During her time at PASS, she also said Mr Raj was a great support and that Verity McTaggart from Pika Wiya learning centre really inspired her.

Whilst studying Aged Care in YES, Bella undertook placements at Wami Kata which led to employment there for three years.

“As soon as I did my placements (in aged care), I loved it and worked there for three years,” Bella said.

Bella knew she wanted to further her health studies and whilst working at Wami Kata she studied a Diploma in Nursing (enrolled nurse) through TAFESA.

She completed placements at Port Augusta Hospital and secured a position as an enrolled nurse in August 2020, working across a range of areas in the hospital. Since beginning work there she has undertaken further studies through SA Health to broaden her nursing knowledge.

With an interest in first responder health care, Bella applied to study a Diploma of Paramedical Science through the Australian Paramedical College and was accepted into the online course in September.

On completion of the Diploma she will be qualified as an emergency medical technician (EMT). Her nursing studies have gained her recognised prior learning for some of the course, which will shorten her study time.

The appeal for Bella in first responder medicine is the variety it offers.

“As a first responder it is a different setting and a different case every day,” she said.

Keen to further her career, Bella was accepted to study a Bachelor of Paramedic Science through Flinders University in February.

Bella’s advice to present students, “If you work hard, you can do well in life and get a good job.”