New USC Midwifery graduate Corinne Sypher knew she wanted to specialise in caring for mothers and newborns the moment she witnessed the birth of her nephew.

The 21-year-old from Maryborough recently graduated from USC with a double degree in Nursing Science and Midwifery and has started a Midwifery graduate position with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

“It's such a great feeling to be working as a midwife and to be able to support women and their families during such an exciting yet often overwhelming time,” Miss Sypher said.

“Working in a major hospital such as the Cairns Base Hospital is providing me with so many learning opportunities as it services a large area, including remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the far north.”

Completing almost 1,000 hours of integrated learning and clinical placements during her studies helped Miss Sypher feel well-prepared for work in the maternity field.

“Throughout my degree I had the opportunity to put the theory I had learned into practice which made the transition into the workforce so much easier,” she said.

The former OP3 student from Aldridge State High School has her sister-in-law to thank for helping to cement her decision to become a midwife.

“I decided early on that I would study nursing when I completed high school and when I was in Year 11, my sister-in-law invited me to be a support person for the birth of my nephew,” she said.

“There is something so special about the birth of a baby. I knew then that midwifery was my calling and since then my passion for working with women and their families has grown.”

As the first in her family to attend university, Miss Sypher said she chose USC because it was close to home and she was a fan of the relaxed lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast.

“Studying at USC was such a privilege and the passion of our lecturers and tutors for midwifery was definitely contagious.

“Staff were just so supportive and willing to share their knowledge and experience with students.”

Miss Sypher said she had been eager to travel back to the Sunshine Coast to attend graduation and celebrate with her fellow graduates.

“It was great to see how we have all taken our Nursing and Midwifery degrees from USC to work in various places across Australia.”

Applications are now open for mid-year entry to study at USC, with Semester 2 starting on 23 July. Details on how to apply.

USC’s annual Open Day will be held at its Fraser Coast campus on Saturday 23 June and at its Sunshine Coast campus on Sunday 22 July.

- Clare McKay