Impact of Studying Adolescent Health and Wellbeing – a conversation with Corrine Gardiner a nurse who completed our Graduate Certificate in the AYA cancer stream

This is the fifth in a series of conversations we have been having with our past students to understand the impact of their studies on the work they do with young people in the community.

When I enrolled to study the Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, I had just commenced what I thought was a 6-month contract as a Youth Cancer Services Research Nurse in South Australia

and the Northern Territory. As it turns out, I’ve been working there for the past 3 years.  Prior to this, I had been working on the cancer ward of an adult hospital for 11 years. I was eager for a career change, but as an enrolled nurse, the opportunities are few and far. And then there was the fact that I was nearly 50, had just been through divorce and had lost my dog, dad and best friend to cancer in 12 months. I was also a mum to two young adult men. Fair to say, I was carrying a lot of trauma and had pretty low confidence. I had an absolute breakdown before starting my first assignment as I just did not believe I was capable of handing in work of any worth. When I got that first assignment mark back, I was extremely proud – it was the kick of encouragement that I needed.

How did you find out about the Adolescent Health and Wellbeing (AHW) courses at the University of Melbourne (UoM)? 

When I started working for Youth Cancer Services (YCS), my manager started telling me about the AHW course from the first month I was employed there. As my role with YCS isn’t directly patient facing, I didn’t really understand why there was any need for me to consider doing the AHW course.

What prompted you to study AHW?

My manager kept prompting me to consider enrolling in the course, suggesting it would lead to greater understanding about the purpose of Youth Cancer Services (they were right!).

How long did it take you to decide to enrol in the Graduate Certificate course?

I applied for one of the Canteen cancer scholarships. As soon as I heard I’d been awarded one, I felt excited to enrol. What did I have to lose other than sleep and free time!

What did you like about doing the course?

I really enjoyed our tutorials. Notwithstanding that they were online, they were quite intimate in nature, and it was easy to be responsive to questions. It was a safe space to provide answers which often involved reflections of our own lives, even if at times I was unsure if I was making valid points. 

I also enjoyed hearing about the other students in the course and their work. I felt like everyone was proud of their careers and it was a very positive group.

What was your favourite subject during your Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing?

I think the very first semester and the first subject (professional Practice in Context) that I had with Toni – we had to complete an assignment on the understanding risk factors for an adolescent in our service system (with cancer). It cemented the purpose of youth cancer services for me, the challenges and the wins. At the same time, my sister was talking to me about her concerns with her 19-year-old daughter.  I was able to provide some rationale for what was happening, based on learning how to see behaviours in a different light to the traditional “tutt tutt” negativity I had grown up with. It felt almost transformative.

Q. What was the hardest thing about studying with us?

The introduction of new educators in second semester who had slightly different standards and expectations. I went from feeling like I was doing well, to feeling like I wasn’t capable of being a post graduate student. But it didn’t last long. I learned I was using too many quotes instead of my own thoughts and interpretations and grew more confident to expand on readings.

Also, at that stage, I was working from home due to the COVID pandemic. Some days I would go from working at my desk directly into a tutorial without having seen another human in real life all day.  They were very exhausting days.  

Q. What was the most surprising thing you learnt during your studies with us?

I am smarter than I had given myself credit for! 

Q. What has been the most significant change, for you, as a result of doing the course?

I stand up for others instead of following the lead and joining in the negative perceptions. There is always an underlying risk or protective factor that is shaping what is happening that people can act on.  And everyone has a story. I’m more open minded than I was.

Q. Why is this significant?

I feel like I’ve broken out of the pattern of my upbringing, and now have a voice with literature and assignments to support it! That’s a big deal, and timely as I am getting older. I feel like this course has not only improved my self-confidence but given me skills to empathise, communicate and connect with AYA at work and in my personal life.

Q. What difference has it made?

I think I actively listen to people more. I enjoy diversity more. Just recently I’ve had the privilege of interviewing adolescents who have survived cancer treatment for an evaluation project. I found these interviews so enlightening and uplifting and probably enjoyed them at a depth I wouldn’t have before having done this course, because I just wouldn’t have had an understanding of the challenges they faced going through their cancer treatment while also navigating their adolescence.

Q. Any last thoughts for people considering doing the graduate certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing?

While this course is aimed at people working with adolescents, the self-awareness and “light bulb” moments are all transferrable to our personal lives. I think every parent should have a short version of this course.

And while those last couple of assignments are an absolute trudge, when you’re so close to the end, you just need to keep pushing it’s worth it!  And lastly, the tutorials are where the “real” learning happens. Don’t just read the literature.

 

Hear from more of our students in our past student interview series – the impact of studying adolescent health and wellbeing. 

 

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