Lake Macquarie’s Neave O’Reilly is readying herself to represent the “green and gold” on the global stage next week.
The Toronto-based TAFE NSW Diploma of Nursing graduate will contest the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, just weeks after the country hosted the Olympic Games.
On this occasion, more than 1,400 competitors from at least 70 nations are expected to vie for glory in 59 skills.
And, Ms O’Reilly will face-off against 19 of the world’s best health and social care students.
She’ll be judged on her healthcare skills in self-management, communication, problem-solving, innovation, creativity and empathy.
“After more than a year of training, it’s surreal to think I’ll be competing in Lyon,” she said.
“I’m excited to experience how different countries approach healthcare.
“Practices vary widely across the world and each country has its own standards and expectations.
“So, it’ll be fascinating to see how these differences play out in the competition.”
Balancing full-time work as a nurse at Hunter New England Health while training for WorldSkills has been no easy feat.
However, Ms O’Reilly feels the experience has strengthened both her professional skills and her ability to excel under pressure.
“The WorldSkills competition closely mirrors the clinical healthcare environment,” she said.
“I believe the hands-on experience I gained at TAFE NSW, and on the job, gives me a competitive edge.
“To prepare for this competition, I’ve been honing my technique in a clinical setting including wound care, dressing and feeding.
“TAFE NSW takes WorldSkills seriously.
“I’ve participated in training camps and practice sessions, so when the clock starts, I feel confident I’ll do my best”
TAFE NSW head teacher Anne MacLeod will accompany Ms O’Reilly overseas.
“We’ve put in months of hard work to make sure Neave isn’t just good at health and social care, but truly an expert,” she said.
“At TAFE NSW, we get students job-ready from day one, starting their practical training early on in real-world clinical settings.
“It can be challenging, but it’s all about building the confidence and competence needed to hit the ground running working in the Healthcare sector.
“Neave’s ready to show what she can do against the world’s top competitors.”
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, an extra 66,000 nurses will be needed across Australia by 2033.
Ms O’Reilly hopes the upcoming competition will shine a light on the opportunities in healthcare and inspire more people to study nursing.
“Nurses are always present, around the clock,” she said.
“We’re the ones interacting directly with families, supporting our patients, coordinating with doctors, all while handling the fast-paced demands of clinical work.”
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