Have Cochlear cash and implant, will learn nursing

Brooke Michalanney is not one to let something like hearing loss stop her from achieving her goals of self-fulfilment and giving back to the community. When she was 18 months old, a hearing impairment was discovered, and this was exacerbated a few years later when her older brother accidentally hit her with a cricket bat, resulting in total hearing loss in both ears. Now, armed with a Cochlear implant and the Cochlear Graeme Clark Scholarship for Australia and New Zealand, Michalanney is studying a bachelor of midwifery at the University of South Australia and looking to break into the linked bachelor of nursing.

Speaking about the awarding of this scholarship that bears his name, professor Graeme Clark – inventor of the Cochlear implant – praised Michalanney's perseverance and ambition.

“I am proud to recognise this remarkable student and reward her with this accolade,” Clark said. “Like so many of our past scholarship recipients, Brooke has overcome remarkable challenges, and has already achieved so much in her young life. I am excited to see what is in store for this inspiring young woman.”

Nursing Review asked Michalanney to explain why she wanted to apply this scholarship to a career in nursing.

"I had always wanted a career in a medical field and therefore obtaining a high ATAR was imperative," she said. "I have continually applied myself to my school work, studying hard to attain high grades. I was extremely happy to be accepted into the University of South Australia to study midwifery.

"This course requires three years of full-time study to complete, however, with an extra year, I wish to do a linked bachelor of nursing, which is available only to high-achieving students. It is my goal to qualify as both a registered midwife and a registered nurse. After completing these double degrees, I want to continue studying, gaining more knowledge through the number of postgraduate programs that are available.

"My ambition is to be a highly trained, well-educated, compassionate, hardworking healthcare professional. Being born in a small regional hospital and growing up on a remote farm, I want to be able to provide both maternity and nursing care to women in isolated areas. I would not only provide support during their pre- and post-natal care, but also play an important role in health education with family planning, parenting and infant care.

"In my first year of study, I have found it necessary to purchase my own special amplified stethoscope that can be used with my Cochlear implant. I have also requested a rural hospital placement and therefore will need to purchase a car."

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