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For Albury Wodonga Health’s 2025 Graduate of the Year Fionna, mental health nursing wasn't always part of the plan.

Originally from Mildura, Fionna completed her nursing degree at La Trobe University before moving to AWH for her graduate year. After discovering a passion for mental health during a student placement, she knew she'd found the specialty where she belonged.

"I was starting to panic because I hadn't found an area of nursing I really enjoyed," she said. "Then I was on my mental health placement and everything just clicked."

Since joining AWH in early 2025, Fionna has completed rotations across Nolan House, The Willows and the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team, with an upcoming rotation in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD).

“I find mental health is an area in health that can be undervalued and stigmatised, and I want to be a part of changing the culture, increasing awareness, and improving the mental health space for consumers,” she said. 

Fionna said the biggest highlight of the graduate program has been the people she's worked alongside.

"At every rotation I've met some incredibly dedicated and passionate mental health clinicians and I’m so grateful that they've all been willing to spend time with me and help me to navigate the mental health space.”

One experience that has stayed with her was supporting an older consumer through six months of recovery, from the acute setting through to continuing care and then preparing to return home.

"That was a great experience getting to watch them improve and rehabilitate over a six-month period and be ready for transition back into the community by the end of their journey.”

Like many new graduates, Fionna says learning to become comfortable with uncertainty has been one of her biggest challenges.

"I've learnt that I don't always need to have the answers. Sometimes the best thing I can do for my consumer is to simply be present and listen."

Fionna says she was drawn to AWH after completing a student placement in Wodonga and finding a team whose values aligned with her own.

"I won't be leaving any time soon. This is home now."

Although she's preparing to welcome her first baby and head on maternity leave in August, Fionna already has her sights set on the future, with hopes of eventually working in Older Persons Mental Health.

“I hope to continue in the acute space to gain a few more years of experience with the goal to work in Older Persons Mental Health. I tend to gravitate towards the older generation, and I enjoy being able to spend time with people who have a lot of life experience,” she said.

“I am open to trying different areas within mental health, but I don't think I will ever leave this specialty.”

Receiving the 2025 Graduate of the Year award came as a surprise, and Fionna says the acknowledgement is motivating. 

"I didn't believe it at first. There are so many amazing graduates in my cohort who are very much deserving of this award too. I'm very grateful though and it's great to know that my peers think I'm doing a good job in this position.

"It's made me feel even more motivated to continue my studies and grow within this mental health nursing."