A day in a life of a campus nurse

Cervical cancer screening, helping students with wound-care, ear wax removal and administering vaccinations – what doesn’t our campus nurse do?  

Each year, 12 May marks International Nurses Day. The observance coincides with Florence Nightingale’s birthday, a British nurse who transformed nursing during the Crimean War in 1853.  

Nursing is a demanding, challenging and rewarding career that plays a huge role in the health industry. We are lucky to have talented and dedicated nurses at ANU like Casie Causley, a registered nurse at ANU Medical Centre. 

“I am a Wiradjuri woman originally from Wagga Wagga. A lot of people around ANU might have known me as that nurse who gave them the flu vaccine.” 

Casie has been a nurse for over twenty years. She started her nursing career as a ward nurse in Adelaide then later worked at a High Dependency Unit (HDU) in Wagga. She joined ANU as a campus nurse in 2018. 

Growing up, Casie did not want to be a nurse – she actually wanted to be a marine biologist. 

“When I was in year 10, I did a work experience subject in school in a hospital in Wagga Wagga. Marine biology wasn’t an option in Wagga but Nursing was, so I snatched up the chance to experience hospital work.” 
 
“During my work experience, I met a lovely Aboriginal girl who suffered from asthma. I really connected with her, and it made me realise how much I enjoy looking after people.” 

Casie’s passion for community was a significant factor in shaping her views about her work. She has always enjoyed meeting new people and helping others. While the work itself can be very stressful and demanding, the direct and immediate impact that nurses do at work are one of the many joys that she likes about her profession.    

“Being a campus nurse is very different from my past experiences as a ward nurse. It’s all about connecting and guiding young people as they navigate through life in the University.” 

“I wish I could tell you a more compelling story about how I ended up working as a nurse at ANU, but the truth is I moved to Canberra because of my husband – who I met online while playing  World of Warcraft.” 

“Nurses are very much just normal people. We have lives outside work, we have hobbies and things we like to do. Don’t be afraid of nurses, ask me questions when you are in my consult room, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help, we are all humans.” 

During her work days, you can find Casie at ANU Medical Centre. From administering immunisations and vaccinations, to ringing you about your blood test results and assisting with procedures, no two days are the same for her. 

“It’s nice that there is a day dedicated for nurses. While being appreciated is nice, what really matters to me is that my patients feel comfortable enough to seek help and speak to me.” 

The ANU Medical Centre is a bulk-billed practice for ANU students. It is open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm. Book an appointment online through HotDoc. 

Capital Pathology services are also accessible through the ANU Medical Centre on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays 8.30am-12.30pm.