At Arrow, we couldn’t be prouder of the achievements of our scholarship recipients. The latest round of scholarships has delivered outstanding results, with nurses returning Distinctions and High Distinctions in their post graduate studies. 

Cristina Lucas

Cristina Lucas from St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney was awarded an Arrow scholarship in 2023 and has recently completed her Master of Cancer & Haematology Nursing after two years of committed study. She has graduated with a string of Distinctions and High Distinctions to her name, and it is already helping to grow her career. She said: 

“Following the completion of the Master of Cancer & Haematology Nursing, I have had the opportunity to apply for and accept a secondment to the outpatient department as the Acting Haematology Cancer Care Coordinator position, and have applied for a role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Haematology. I hope to continue working in the inpatient haematology department at St Vincent’s in the long term, although my studies have also opened up a number of new opportunities for me to consider within the field.

Meeting a number of students undergoing the Nurse Practitioner pathway in the Masters has led me to consider this career pathway as a viable option for the future, and a way in which to advance the role of nurses within the haematology speciality. ” 

Congratulations Cristina, we look forward to following your progress as you continue to shine in your career.

Veronica Wilkinson

Veronica Wilkinson, had dreamed of becoming a nurse since she was eight years old. After marriage and motherhood led her down a different path, she is now pursuing postgraduate study through the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing at the Australian College of Nursing. 

Veronica is a Registered Nurse at the Day Oncology Unit at Mater Rockhampton, where she cares for patients before and after their stem cell transplant. As transplants are not performed locally, patients from Rockhampton travel to Brisbane for treatment and return home for follow up care. Since completing her studies, Veronica has been joining the visiting haematologist on his rounds of patients,  benefitting greatly from his guidance and invaluable knowledge.

With support from the Professor Geoffrey Driscoll Scholarship, Veronica achieved a Distinction in the unit Principles of Cancer Care. She found the course content highly engaging and relevant.

Reflecting on the experience, she said: 

“The knowledge acquired [through this course] will have a lasting impact and enrich my nursing practice. Since undertaking studies at the Australian College of Nursing, I have observed notable improvements in my clinical performance, and my interest in haematology nursing has continued to increase. I am grateful to Arrow and the family of Professor Geoffrey Driscoll for their sponsorship, which underscores the significance of haematology within the field [of nursing].” 

Veronica now has just two subjects left to go in the Graduate Certificate of Cancer Nursing. Upon successful completion, she will become the first nurse in her unit to complete post graduate studies in cancer nursing. She highly recommends the course, saying “I believe this course would be beneficial for anyone pursuing a career in haematalogy nursing”.

Andrea Hughes

Another recipient, Andrea Hughes, a Registered Nurse at the Canberra Hospital, was also awarded the Driscoll Scholarship to undertake the same graduate program. She earned a High Distinction and credits her postgraduate study with helping her take on new challenges in her career. 

“I am really enjoying the graduate certificate, even while working full time, because everything I am studying directly applies to my current role. It is already having a significant impact on my confidence and knowledge as a haematology nurse. The Term 2 unit, which I received the Arrow Foundation scholarship for, has been particularly valuable in enhancing my understanding and improving my confidence in providing care and education to patients and carers.” 

Andrea is currently training in apheresis stem cell collections and is looking forward to commencing the next module in the course on cellular therapies.

She has also recently stepped into the role of acting Clinical Nurse Consultant for her haematology unit, something she attributes to the specialist knowledge gained through her studies. 

Kate McKibbin

Kate McKibbin, an Oncology Nurse Educator at Riverina Cancer Centre in Wagga, previously completed the Chemotherapy module of the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Care with the support of an Arrow scholarship some year ago. Eager to deepen her understanding of haematology – an area of cancer care she is particularly passionate about – Kate sought further education to better support her patients.

This led Kate to enrol in the Foundations of Haematology Nursing module, supported by a Professor Driscoll scholarship. She excelled in the module, earning a High Distinction, and has now successfully completed the full Graduate Certificate course.

Kate shared “Completing the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing has been a really enjoyable experience. Returning to formal study while working and being a busy mum of two young girls was both challenging and rewarding. Through the Foundations of Haematology Nursing module – supported by the Professor Driscoll Scholarship – I was able to further my knowledge of complex haematological conditions, which will directly help me in my role as Nurse Educator. Gaining further knowledge in advanced concepts of cancer nursing and linking this to my work as an educator has been invaluable, and I hope to extend this by completing a Master’s degree in the not too distant future.”

Kate, Andrea and Veronica all expressed their gratitude to the Driscoll family for their generous support—thanks we echo wholeheartedly at Arrow. 

Arrow Post Graduate Scholarships

We congratulate Cristina, Veronica, and Andrea on their outstanding results and wish them continued success in their careers and future studies. 

If you are a nurse working in haematology or stem cell transplant, now is the perfect time to apply. Scholarship applications are currently open.