KERANG local Taylah Firmer has overcome a difficult childhood and many challenges in her adult life to pursue a successful nursing career.
Ms Firmer was nominated for the prestigious 7News Young Achiever Awards by Kangan Institute for her exceptional work ethic, and overcoming many obstacles during her time as a nursing student at Bendigo TAFE.
The nomination was an emotional moment for Ms Firmer, who was “shocked” at the news.
“Even now, I still find it hard to wrap my head around the fact I’m recognised for anything,” Ms Firmer said.
“I yearned for someone to say they are proud of me, and in a sense, getting recognised for the award healed my inner child,”
Throughout her childhood, Ms Firmer lacked parental support, and at 16 years old, she became the sole guardian for her 11-year-old brother.
Getting through high school was challenging for Ms Firmer as she juggled her studies, part-time work, and being a carer for her brother.
“I recall being on auto-drive during high school,” she said.
“For me, it was getting through classes, then getting into survival mode once I got home, to help keep my brother and I afloat, all while maintaining normality to everyone around me.”
After graduating from high school, Ms Firmer worked a retail job, but was motivated to pursue a career in nursing during COVID-19 lockdowns.
“I chose to do nursing because I wanted to help people through some of their most vulnerable moments in life,” she said.
“Patients come in at their worst, lowest, and scariest times, and we as nurses get to take that scary experience to turn it into opportunity,” she said.
“One more opportunity to be healthy, to travel, to spend time with family, and one more opportunity to say ‘I love you’.
“And it’s up to us to be able to do that, and to me, there is no higher calling in life.”
Ms Firmer enrolled herself at Bendigo TAFE to complete a Diploma of Nursing.
Even though she felt she was unable to thrive in high school, she succeeded in TAFE, awarded Student of the Year.
“I was absolutely shocked to hear my name being called, I was completely overwhelmed,” she said.
“It already felt like it was a win when I found out my name was even considered for the awards.”
However, it was no easy feat.
On top of managing work, supporting her brother and full time studies at TAFE, Ms Firmer was struck with another ordeal.
In October 2022, Gannawarra Shire flooded, leaving her house damaged and her education compromised, as she was unable to travel to TAFE for weeks.
“(The floods) impacted my ability to get to classes and placements safely as I live 130km from Bendigo,” Ms Firmer said.
However, she was determined to complete her degree on time, adapting to online learning and rescheduling her placements.
Currently a nurse at Echuca Regional Health, Ms Firmer said that nursing is what she wants do to for the rest of her life.
“I know most of the patients don’t remember my name, but, I do know that I gave a little piece of myself to each of them, and I can say the feeling is mutual,” she said.
“Thread by thread, this builds my beautiful tapestry of nursing.
“Every experience whether miracle or misfortune, has shaped the nurse I am today, and forever impacted me.”
This year, Ms Firmer will start her Bachelor of Nursing degree at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
“I am super excited to learn new skills and grow more in my roles,” she said.
“I have so much more to learn and experience.”
