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Diane Bowden
51-year-old Registered Nurse (RN), Diane Bowden, is proving it’s never too late to upskill after enrolling in a Master of Nursing in Chronic and Complex Care to diversify her skill-set for career longevity. 
“Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is a next level qualification for me and, especially in rural areas, Nurse Practitioners are a very valuable source of care,” Diane said.
Currently working at Bungendore Medical Centre in NSW, Diane received funding from the Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) to cover part of the costs associated with completing her Masters.
“I always wanted to do [the Masters] but securing the scholarship really stirred me on,” Diane said. “Now, there is less of a financial burden and the first year of my Masters is covered thanks to the Health Workforce Scholarship Program. It’s fantastic!”
Having applied her skills as a nurse across Australia and the world, Diane says she’s particularly fond of working in, and with, rural communities.
“Working rurally makes you a bit more autonomous and gives you the confidence to rely on your own skills and knowledge,” Diane said.
“I love working rurally and with Aboriginal communities. Everything is amplified in a rural setting and you’re part of the community. People will see you at the local IGA and patients will stop to have a chat and say hello. It’s more informal. There are professional boundaries but you’re part of the community and there’s a familiarity that comes with that.”
Diane said she particularly enjoys working in general practice but wanted to obtain a Masters qualification to challenge and future-proof herself.
“I really enjoy working in general practice and the personal contact you have with patients. You don’t get that as a Registered Nurse because of the medical rounds and tasks.
“However, as a Nurse Practitioner, you can do a lot yourself. You can have a bit more autonomy and a bigger scope of practice.
“I always wanted to obtain that next level of education because I wanted to future-proof myself in terms of my education and I would like to teach students at some point too.
“It’s good to challenge myself.”
Diane is hoping to complete her Masters part-time within two years, while continuing work at Bungendore Medical Centre.
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in rural and remote Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practice. The Program is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, administered in New South Wales by Rural Doctors Network.