The newly-qualified midwife always knew the path she wanted to take, but took a different route to some. 

While studying nursing, Ms Mickan was a full time stay-at-home mum. 

“I had time off my career while my children were little. I studied to be a registered nurse because when I was at school I always wanted to be a nurse,” she said. 

“I did 12 months of (nursing) training straight out of schools and thought ‘oh no this isn’t for me’ and left. Life took me different ways.”

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After leaving, Ms Mickan worked in accounting. The birth of her kids reignited her passion for healthcare. 

“After I had my boys, I was thinking that I really wanted to make a difference to someone’s life and get more out of going to work every day,” she said. 

“I just wanted to come home from work every day and know I helped someone or made a difference to their life or to their family members.”

She studied by distance and completed a graduate nursing year at Griffith Base Hospital, spending time on surgical wards and in the emergency department. 

The passionate nurse didn’t take long to decide she wanted to expand her skill set. 

“I later thought I might want to be a midwife, so I applied to do the diploma of midwifery,” she said. 

“I’ve just finished my diploma and I’ve been registered as a midwife for three weeks.” 

The new gig is equal parts rewarding and challenging, she says.  

“It’s great. It can be challenging at times. We see the happy times, but we also see the the tragic times,” she said. 

Different roles throughout the hospital have brought different kinds of joy, but all surround seeing a patient succeed. 

“I’ve looked after people who, when they have first been admitted they can’t get out of bed, they can’t eat. You’re doing everything for them,” she said.

“Slowly, every day you see progress. To see them go home, to see them come alive again is the most rewarding part of being a nurse.” 

Her new career in midwifery comes with its own unique set of highlights. Ms Mickan makes sure she takes time to appreciate the process she’s a part of. 

“The most rewarding part of being a midwife is being part of the whole experience that a woman and her family go through. I think a lot of people take being a midwife for granted,” she said.

“We are involved in one of the most beautiful experiences that someone could go through. We’re in their personal space and make them as comfortable as possible.” 

Nurses have their success stories, but they also deal with difficult situations.

Ms Mickan said supporting a family through losing a family member or being unable to help in certain situations can be tough. 

She recalled a case involving a young child.

“It just pulls at the heartstrings. You see that child lying there and you want to do everything you can for them, but you can’t – and you have to support the family,” she said. 

“It’s a similar thing when we have women who come through with a stillborn baby and we have to help her to deliver. I guess that’s the toughest part of it.” 

Ms Mickan said there was was still a lot people needed to understand about nurses and their roles.

“I think there’s a lot of negative stigma toward nursing. A lot of people think nursing is still traditionally a woman’s role, but here in Griffith we have a lot of male nurses,” she said. 

“I think way nursing and midwifery isn’t projected in the way it’s really going. I think students through career education at high school, need to have people who are passionate about nursing come and speak.”