To find out more, visit: monash.edu/medicine
It’s an exciting time to be studying medicine, nursing and health sciences at Monash. As the only Victorian university to offer a direct-from-school medical degree, you will see the discoveries of our world-renowned researchers put into clinical practice and enjoy our links to the largest health-care provider network in Australia, which includes the Monash Medical Centre and The Alfred, Melbourne’s major casualty hospital.
As a student studying a medical, nursing or an allied health degree, your subjects could include anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, psychology and sociology. But you will also get outside the classroom and experience what life is really like working in a hospital or clinical setting.
Below, three students share their experiences of studying at Monash University.
“Getting a taste of medicine in action makes you feel like you’re almost a doctor.”
Katia Maccora
“I chose to study Medicine at Monash because I wanted to unify my love for science with my love for people, through a rewarding profession. I want a career that is both hands on and constantly stimulating, where I have the knowledge, ability and privilege to change lives. MBBS also incorporates other engaging and important subjects such as population health, mindfulness and evidence based practice.
“Something I really value about the course is its strong clinical focus. Clinical placements are done as early as year one, and during the last three years of the degree you are out in a clinical environment. Patient interaction and experience is so much more valuable than textbooks or lectures could ever be.
“My first full year of clinical placement was at Bendigo Health. I had rotations through general medicine, surgery, speciality and rehabilitation. Doing my clinical placements in rural and regional areas has been wonderful. The cohort is smaller, meaning focussed attention and training from doctors, and more opportunities to get involved throughout the hospital. The surgical aspect of my rotations has definitely been my favourite. The opportunity to scrub in and assist with some surgeries was really exciting stuff.
“I’ve also really been enjoying my general practice rotation in Kyneton. Seeing my own patients under the supervision of a GP really tests your knowledge and forces you to think on your feet.
“I absolutely love what we are studying. I am amazed everyday how much knowledge we have learnt in only four years.
“My advice for someone looking to study Medicine at Monash would be to focus on your study in year twelve, prepare for the UMAT as best you can and not to get too overwhelmed by the process.
“Think big picture, small steps!”
“I want to take my nursing degree overseas once I have graduated.”
Amy Cullen
“I decided to study nursing at Monash University for a few reasons, one of them being that Monash is so highly recognised around the world. I felt that this global reputation would enable me to take my nursing degree overseas once I’ve graduated. I loved the sense of community about it. I was drawn to the numerous opportunities it presented, such as being involved in the sporting teams, volunteering and social aspects of university offered through its clubs and societies.
“What I love most about studying nursing at Monash, is the fact that you get to begin clinical placements right at the beginning of your course, during your first year. I have also really enjoyed how hands-on the course is, through the use of our clinical learning environments. Each week we spend two hours in the clinical labs where we get to put the theory we have learnt that week into practice. This allows us to become competent in those skills before we go out on our placements and practice those skills on real people. The labs are set out like a hospital, with a room full of beds and mannequins. We are able to practice all sorts of skills on the mannequins from measuring the heart rate to actually drawing blood from their arms.
“I love the challenge presented by nursing and the fast pace of the job. I love how many skills you actually need and how much information you have to know in order to be a good nurse. There really is nothing like caring for people when they are so vulnerable and need you the most. It’s incredible to know you have contributed to their journey towards better health. It truly gives you a sense of fulfilment that I believe is so unique to nursing.”
“Occupational Therapy is a growing field with so many exciting opportunities.”
Josh Patti
“I chose the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Monash University because of my immense desire to be able to change a person’s life for the better. The thought of putting a smile on the face of people from all different age groups, ranging from children to the elderly is the greatest thing I take from this course. Studying OT was the best decision I have made in my entire life.
“What I have enjoyed most is the range of opportunities that this course has given me, particularly through clinical placement. I had the privilege of working at Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe where their unique paediatric feeding clinic assists children who have eating difficulties. I was also part of the acute ward, which involved assessing and documenting a variety of clients who had diverse conditions.
“It was extremely satisfying knowing what you’ve learned during semester could be applied in a real life setting, which made placement less stressful and allowed me to focus more on learning new skills.
“My advice for someone who’s looking to study OT at Monash is simply do it! You will not regret it. Being able to actually interact with all members of the cohort, including staff, allows you to develop bonds that will last a lifetime.”
To find out more, visit: monash.edu/medicine
