Facilitating the future: Why nurse Fifi studied a postgrad course

For Fifi Giraneza, caring for others comes naturally. As a clinical nurse in aged care, her kind and compassionate nature drives her to help people. But it’s not just patients who are benefitting from her help. Students are too, thanks to a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Facilitation.

The six-month, 100% online postgraduate nursing course has qualified Fifi to pass on her experience and knowledge. It’s taking her gift of giving to a whole new level.

Dispensing knowledge

“We always have students coming in to our aged care facility for work placement, and carers who provide support,” says Fifi. “I could see that both would benefit from having a colleague to support and educate them in their studies and roles, and I wanted to be that person.

I wanted to gain the clinical facilitation skills to further my career.

After researching, Fifi decided to study clinical facilitation with CDU as the flexible, 100% online program meant she could continue to work. The content and support of the course was also really appealing.

The course units perfectly support my current work and give me skills I can put into practice immediately, she says.

Being cared for

For Fifi, the support from her lecturers meant that her needs were consistently met. The lecturers’ experience within the field also made them extremely relatable.

Having lecturers who understand what nurses go through is amazing.

“They know exactly what you need to know and can help you manage expectations and achieve your set goals," says Fifi. “Being under pressure at work, I sometimes felt like I couldn’t study anymore." 

Having a lecturer and a role model who checked in to encourage me made a big difference.

Online discussions and meetings with her peers also gave Fifi a boost and made her feel that she was never alone. 

Practice makes perfect

Fifi’s already using her new skills in the workplace and feels confident answering questions from nursing students on placement and supporting them. She sees herself moving into even more of a clinical facilitation role, helping placement students focus on acute and palliative care.

“I’ve a busy year planned and I’m excited about it,” she says. “I’m looking forward to taking on new challenges and if I need to further my study again, I will. I know how beneficial it can be.”

A message for her younger self

So, knowing what she knows now, what advice would Fifi offer her younger self?

“If you dream of doing something and there’s an opportunity to do it, grab it with both hands,” she says.

Even if you’re unsure if it’s the right time or place for it, just take the step towards your dream. There’ll always be someone to help and support you.

"Don’t let the unknown or fear hold you back."

“Even if, when you start the course, you’re not 100% convinced, don’t be scared off.

Explore your options. Talk to lecturers and ask them questions about what you might do.

“It’s not always about knowing what your final career choice is, but more about knowing what skills will be valuable for you to take away from study and how you can apply this in your career, whatever field that may be.”

Take the next step in your career with a flexible, 100% online postgraduate nursing course at CDU. Explore courses.