University of Queensland researcher Linda Ng has a passion for helping others – a passion that prompted her to leave a burgeoning legal career to pursue nursing.
The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Worklecturer walked out of a barristers' chambers in London to study nursing in Australia.
"I was doing some pro bono legal work which was allowing me to help people, but I just wasn't getting enough job satisfaction," Ms Ng said.
"I met some American nurses in Italy and they inspired me – they seemed to be getting better job satisfaction than I was, so I made the change.
"I don't regret a minute of it. I love nursing, particularly working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital."
Ms Ng's doctoral research is exploring nurses' attitudes towards postgraduate education.
"Previous studies have shown how postgraduate study for nurses has improved the delivery of care and the outcome for patients," Ms Ng said.
"Our research shows that registered nurses enter postgraduate education because of the consequent influence on patient care as well as the possibilities of career advancement.
"I hope our findings will result in more organisations encouraging nurses to undertake postgraduate studies, and to help make it easier for them to do so."
At the recent Australian College of Neonatal Nurses (ACNN) 24th National Conference Ms Ng won Best Presenter Award for her presentation of her PhD topic.
The award was accompanied by $700 in prize money, which she will use to attend the 25th ACNN National Conference in 2017 to continue her passion for helping others.
Click here to learn about paths for study in Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at UQ.
Media: Linda Ng, l.ng@uq.edu.au , +61 7 3443 7003; UQ Communications, Dani Nash,dani.nash@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 7436.
