A Queensland mental health services researcher will be among the 2019 cohort of students starting a Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry) at USC’s Caboolture campus.

After a long career in mental health, academia and business, Dr Sue Patterson plans to round out her working life nursing in a hospital Emergency Department.

“I trained as a psychologist many years ago and worked both clinically and in management of mental health services before moving to London for a short-term research position,” Dr Patterson said.

“I enjoyed research so much I stayed for seven years, completing a PhD looking at the development of evidence for mental health care and then working in a range of health-related research roles.”

Since coming home to Australia in 2011, Dr Patterson has worked as a Principal Research Fellow Mental Health with Metro North Hospital and Health Services based at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital and has also taken on teaching and advisory roles with Griffith University and The University of Queensland.

“I really enjoy working with clinicians, managers and patients to design and deliver research relevant to mental health care,” she said.

“However, I’m keen to shift the balance between work and other life activities. Nursing appeals to me as a field in which I can contribute directly to patient care but also work flexibly so I can spend more time with my grandchildren.

“The convenience of having a USC campus at Caboolture near where I live makes study an attractive option at this time of my life and I’m excited to start.”

The Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry) is offered at USC’s Sippy Downs and Caboolture campuses to applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree. The program is run over two years full-time or the part-time equivalent and includes an eight-week nursing internship.

Applications are still open to study at USC in 2019. Details are available at Learn