Wayne was previously a mechanic but wanted a change of career. He had the opportunity to shadow nurses and doctors in hospital for a week, and that determined that medicine is what he wanted to do. He says he chose to study at UcWA as the facilities “are so much more advanced and exceptional when compared to other colleges offering the same course”.
Wayne says being around like-minded people, who are all aiming for a similar goal, is a huge benefit, as they are all pushing each other to do the best they can, and they all support each other.
He shared a memory from the Medical Insights and Enrichment class.
“We had a mannequin with a femoral arterial bleed after an accident, and our job was to stop the bleed and react quickly to any other complications. Once the bleed had started, we all jumped straight in. As the team leader, I commanded the actions of everyone; who will put pressure on the leg while one puts a tourniquet on, who will secure the airway and who will bag the patient. Once we gained control of the bleed, we checked for other injuries, constantly checking the vital signs monitor. Then I noticed the heart rhythm change to ventricular fibrillation and ordered someone to ready the defibrillator while someone else started compressions. Once the de-fib was attached to the patient, we followed the automated orders to stop CPR and clear everyone from the patient. After the shock, we started CPR again, changing who was compressing between me and two other people every 15 seconds with minimal time off the chest, while I ordered to constantly check the bleed site and check the airway. We repeated this a few times with two de-fib shocks and brought the patient back. In total, we stopped the bleed in less than 30 seconds and secured the patient in around two minutes.
Watching everyone work together efficiently like a perfectly tuned engine was such an amazing feeling for me and for everyone else. We definitely got into the zone and forgot it was a mannequin for a few moments, especially when it went into V-fib.”
To someone considering studying at UcWA, Wayne says, “It is an amazing college that stays true to their values and ethos of allowing everyone to study indiscriminately. My best advice would be to go to an open day and talk with the different tutors, even if you don't know what you want to do.
To anyone thinking of returning to learning as an adult I would say whether you are going on an adult only course, or are going on a mixed-age course, you should not be afraid. We are all on a different journey in life and we have all had different opportunities in life. You will not be alone and don't think that you are ever 'too old' to change your life. As long as you are happy in the future, then going back to education will have been one of the best choices you could have made.”
