WHEN Nobuhle Mpofu immigrated from Zimbabwe to Charleville in 2009, she wanted to continue her career as a nutritionist.

When she found out her qualifications did not qualify her, she changed careers.

“I was told I needed to study my Masters but I couldn’t move away to study because I had my husband Bongi and three young children in Charleville,” she said.

“So a few years later when my mother suggested I study nursing, at first I laughed. But then after giving it thought, I decided it was a career I’d like to follow.”

And now she’s done it. Via external study, Noe has graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from Central Queensland University.

She will spend the next 12 months working at Waroona Multi-Purpose Centre and Charleville Hospital as part of the Nurse Graduate Program.

“My new community offered me more friendship and support than I’d ever experienced, and raising the children in such a close-knit community has been wonderful for our family,” she said.

Her time as a student nurse was hectic, but a $12,000 scholarship from the Australian College of Nursing and Queensland Health study assistance enabled her to complete practical sessions away from Charleville.