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Life's most rewarding moments often manifest after years of false starts and detours.

For Donna Tonkin, the path to her dream career in medicine began after 16 years focused primarily on raising children and managing her household. When her family relocated to the Shoalhaven region three years ago, she seized the opportunity to pursue her long-deferred educational ambitions at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp’s (UOW) Shoalhaven campus.

What makes Donna's story particularly inspiring isn't just her mid-life career pivot, but her remarkable resilience. During her nursing studies, a shock accident resulted in two broken legs and months as a wheelchair user. Yet with support from fellow students, staff, and her own determination, she not only completed her undergraduate nursing degree but followed up with a spot in UOW's postgraduate Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

"I think community at UOW means accepting everyone for who they are, taking the time to get to know their stories, and then doing everything you can to encourage and help them on their journey," Donna explains. Her experience embodies this community-minded mentality—from the encouraging texts she received during her hospitalisation to the mentorship offered by senior medical students who welcomed her into their fold.

Today, Donna's sights are set on rural medicine, where her passion for community and care is guaranteed to make a meaningful difference. 

What brought you to UOW?

"My family moved to the area three years ago when my husband was posted here for work. I thought it was a good time for me to pursue a career as I had spent the previous 16 years mostly at home raising our children and running the home. I had also worked as a personal trainer and pool lifeguard in the hours I had available, but these were not my dream jobs. I had previously started a couple of degrees but had always had to pull out due to family circumstances, so now I decided to pursue nursing with the aim of using that degree to get into medicine. I figured if I didn't get in, I would at least have a clinical career that would serve me well."

Donna celebrates graduation from her nursing degree at UOW Shoalhaven with her family. Photo: Supplied.

What was the atmosphere like when you first started?

"I remember my first day of nursing at UOW and we were all very excited! I think the highlight for everyone was getting to wear scrubs for the first time, as it seemed more like our dreams were becoming reality. COVID-19 was beginning to blend in with other common health issues and it seemed like things were looking up for healthcare. I believe this added to the excitement as most of our classes were face-to-face (something that had been missing during the pandemic)."

What does a typical day on campus look like for you?

"Studying medicine, a typical day involves heading to campus by 8.30 am and staying till 5 pm. The course content is huge and there are many lectures, symposiums, clinical skills classes and labs. The cohort has become very close as we study together in small groups regularly and bounce concepts off each other. Drawing medical concepts on the whiteboards in the medicine building is a common activity with everyone adding their input to bring the whole concept together. So, my days are very busy but rewarding."

Have you formed any key relationships in your time here?

"One key relationship that stands out to me from my time at UOW is with April Lowe who studied nursing with me. During the second year of my degree, I was attacked by a ram while staying with friends in Goulburn for nursing placement. I ended up with both legs broken, 25 days in hospital and months in rehab. April knew that faith was a big part of my life and every day while I was in hospital she sent me text messages with Bible verses, updates on her family (we both had children who were going through difficult times), and encouragement to help get me through what I was dealing with."

In the second year of her nursing degree, Donna spent 25 days in hospital following a shock ram attack incident. Photo: Supplied.

How has UOW supported you through challenges?

"When I returned to UOW after the accident I was still in a wheelchair and the staff were so amazing through that time. They accommodated me in my labs so that I could continue my studies without taking a year off, and they showed their genuine care for me as a person with every encounter. One day I met one of the medical students, Jonathan Hay, while in my wheelchair in the cafeteria. We began chatting, and when I told him I was applying for medicine that year he was very supportive. He followed my journey through the application process and on my last day of nursing he came down to the nursing building to congratulate me on getting in! He then led me to the medicine building to introduce me to staff and students who I would be working with. Fast forward to starting medicine, and he is now my mentor."

What do you believe are UOW's unique strengths?

"I would say a definite strength of UOW is its focus on rural medicine, and creating doctors who are community focused with a strong sense of purpose and integrity. Another strength is academic excellence."

Surrounded by support — Donna Tonkin (back row, third from right) with her nursing cohort at UOW Shoalhaven. Photo: Supplied.

How do you see your future after graduating?

"I am so excited about the future! I'm keen to discover the world of medicine and determine what area best suits me. I also plan to work in rural or regional Australia because that's where my heart is. I can't tell you where my future will take me, but I know I'll be well prepared, and I know many of my future colleagues are amazing people!"