Nursing scholarship winner on track

Olivia Parenti has learnt a lot during her nursing degree, but one lesson stands out.

“I’ve learnt that everyone has a unique set of circumstances that influences their health and wellbeing. Nursing has reinforced the importance of empathy, communication and looking at the whole person, not just the particular issue they have come in for help with,” she said.

The Townsville local is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at James Cook University. Olivia’s family is in the city and she plans to stay in Townsville after graduating.

“I want to help my community and be close to family. I’m so glad I can do that while also developing my career,” she said.

Olivia received the 2026 JCU Bridging Excellence Scholarship. It provides $10,000 over two years for final-year Diploma of Nursing Students at TAFE Queensland in Townsville or Cairns or Mater Education in Townsville who are heading to JCU to complete a nursing degree.

She said the scholarship helps ease the financial pressures of university and allows her to focus more on her studies.

“Without it, I likely would have needed to pick up more work shifts to help cover living and study expenses, taking time away from my coursework and making it harder to maintain a healthy study-life balance,” she said.

Applications for the 2027 JCU Bridging Excellence Scholarship are now open. For more information see the link below.

Meanwhile, Olivia is committed to pursuing nursing as a career.

“It’s a combination of science, critical thinking and compassionate care, so it’s both challenging and rewarding. Nursing offers variety within the profession and endless opportunities to learn and develop professionally,” she said.

While she is open to exploring different specialities, critical care nursing is increasingly catching her eye.

“Critical care nursing combines advanced clinical practice with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for patients when they are most vulnerable,” she said.

“I have enjoyed developing my assessment and clinical reasoning skills and I’m motivated by the fast-paced environment and collaborative nature of critical care.”

Olivia said her family and partner are her biggest supporters.

“They’ve always encouraged me to pursue my goals and have been there through the challenges and successes of university life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” she said.

She has one more reason to feel positive about her career choice.

“It’s definitely a good feeling to be training for one of the few jobs where you’re unlikely to be replaced by AI!”

Apply for the scholarship here.