From the Navy to nursing: how CIT’s hands-on nursing pathway changed Caitlin’s life (and is helping to change others)
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When Caitlin Carter battled a severe illness in 2015 while working in the Navy, it completely changed her career trajectory.
“I got really sick, and the nurses who looked after me were incredible,” Caitlin reflects.
“That experience sparked something in me. I knew right then that I wanted to provide that same comfort and help to others.”
However, life had a few milestones in store first. In 2016, Caitlin was discharged from full-time service and welcomed her baby. Navigating life as a single mum, she spent the next couple of years gathering the courage to pursue her dream: a Diploma of Nursing.
When COVID-19 hit, Caitlin made the deliberate choice to hold off until she could learn in person. She attended local career expos, chatted with working nurses and weighed up her options between a direct university bachelor’s degree and a TAFE pathway.
Ultimately, the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) offered the perfect bridge.
“As a single mum working for the Navy Reserves at the time, flexibility was everything,” she says.
“CIT allowed me to study part-time, stretching the standard 18-month full-time course into a manageable two-and-a-half years.”
Stepping onto the CIT Bruce campus, Caitlin found far more than just a classroom.
The highlight? Their five state-of-the-art simulation hospital wards, complete with realistic mannequins who can breathe, cough and even simulate high blood pressure designed to mirror real hospital wards
“They’re the closest thing you can get to being in a real hospital ward,” Caitlin says.
“We practiced on highly realistic mannequins, and sometimes we even acted as patients for each other. It was so much fun, but more importantly, it built real confidence.”
This confidence paid off when Caitlin completed her placement, working in community health, mental health and palliative care. She says she realised the “profound effect” she could have on patients during their most vulnerable moments.
“One patient I walked past was upset, so I sat with her for five minutes, giving her a blanket and a cup of tea, and she told someone it had made her day. Another patient who had bad news that day contacted CIT to say, ‘Your student made my day on my worst day.’ That was so lovely to hear.”
Head of Health Services Department Linda Willington says CIT’s Diploma of Nursing provides students with a true insight into the profession while working directly alongside full-time Registered Nurses, perfectly balancing theory with hands-on practice.
“Our practical training provides students with outstanding clinical skills and has such a great reputation,” Linda says.
“The CIT Diploma of Nursing also gives you guaranteed entry into a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Canberra and up to one year credit, allowing students to transition smoothly into Registered Nursing should they want to pursue further studies.”
Driven by a critical workforce shortage, Linda says demand for nurses is skyrocketing.
“Whether you choose aged care, community health or critical care, the career opportunities as an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse are really broad.”
Now a proud CIT graduate, Caitlin has landed a coveted spot in the Grad program at Calvary John James Hospital, specialising in geriatrics.
For anyone sitting on the fence about stepping into healthcare, her advice is clear: look beyond the traditional university route.
“Definitely start with a Diploma to become an Enrolled Nurse, because you get all the practical experience. A lot of people don’t realise this is an option for a professional career.”
Looking back on her winding path from the navy to the hospital wards of Canberra, Caitlin knows she made the right choice.
“I feel like I’m where I’m exactly meant to be.”
With applications open for Semester 2 2026, there’s never been a better time to take the first step into a rewarding health career.
Learn more about studying nursing at CIT: cit.edu.au
