First Class Honours for Primary Care Nurse

A Queensland nurse was awarded the prize for academic excellence at the recent awards night.

Kellie Haratsis graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2003 and currently works as a Primary Care Nurse in the small town of Airlie Beach in regional Queensland. A passionate advocate for improving services in her local area Kellie identified an absence of Authorised Nurse Pap Smear Providers.   This provided the catalyst for Kellie to recommence studying.  

Kellie chose the University of Melbourne over a local course due to the online format which reduced travel requirements and time away from work and home. Completion of the Women’s Health Screening subject provided Kellie with the skills to offer a nurse-led cervical screening service to women in her community.  Inspired to further improve nursing services Kellie went on to complete the Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing graduating with first class honors.   Kellie now provides a comprehensive nursing health service in the rural general practice in which she works; especially in the areas of chronic disease management and preventative health. Kellie’s aim is to further develop her knowledge and skills by completing a Nurse Practitioner program.  She hopes this will help to decrease barriers to accessing health care through the increased provision of services for her community.