When Parul Sharma walks into the Emergency Department at Austin Health in Melbourne, she brings with her years of resilience, cultural wisdom, and the practical training she gained at Unitec in Auckland.

Now one of just four graduate nurses selected for the emergency department at one of Victoria’s busiest hospitals, 37-year-old Parul's story is one of perseverance and purpose.

Born in Nagrota Bagwan, a small town in Himachal Pradesh, India, and inspired by a family of healthcare professionals, she always knew she wanted to work on the frontlines of medicine.

“I’ve always aspired to work in the Emergency Department,” she says. “It’s where quick decision-making can mean saving a life. That passion has stayed with me since my first undergraduate degree in India.”

After initially completing a bachelor’s degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and working in holistic health, Parul moved to New Zealand with her husband in 2014. But with her qualifications from India not being recognised and mounting financial pressures, she had to begin her professional journey again—this time in nursing.

She started her studies at AUT in 2019 but was forced to pause when she had a baby prematurely at 25 weeks, and was hospitalised for four months in neonatal intensive care.

It was during this period of hardship that Unitec became a turning point.

“In 2022, I transferred to Unitec, where I was welcomed onto the Bachelor of Nursing programme with open arms,” says the mother of two.
“Kate Barry, the academic programme manager, was especially supportive. She helped me restart and eventually complete my qualification.”

Parul found Unitec’s teaching style and learning environment ideal.
“Unitec’s focus on hands-on experience, diverse community, and strong pastoral care really helped me grow, both personally and professionally.”

Balancing studies without her children, who had moved with her husband to Melbourne, made 2023 particularly tough. “Living apart from my family while completing assessments was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done,” she says. “But we all fought hard—me, my husband, and our children—and I crossed the finish line in 2024 as a Registered Nurse, not just in New Zealand but in Australia too.”

Her husband, who worked three jobs while caring for their children in Melbourne, also played a pivotal role. “He told me, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll handle the kids, you finish your studies.’ That support allowed me to focus on becoming the nurse I’d always dreamed of being.”

Unitec’s Bachelor of Nursing academic programme manager Kate Barry adds, “Parul’s success in completing the Bachelor of Nursing was no doubt due to her own tenacity, alongside being open to the support and guidance from lecturers and Unitec support teams. We wish her all the best in her career.”

Through her research, Parul discovered Austin Health’s highly competitive graduate programme. Out of 168 successful candidates, she was one of only four placed in the emergency department.

“It’s a dream come true,” she says. “The programme offers practical experience and pathways into specialist roles. After this year, I plan to pursue postgraduate study in either cardiac or emergency nursing.”

But Parul’s ambitions don’t end at clinical work. She aims to specialise in community healthcare, pursue a postgraduate diploma at Deakin University in Victoria, and eventually move into a senior nursing leadership role.

“I want to help shape healthcare policy and mentor new nurses,” she says. “I’m also passionate about bridging traditional and modern medicine.”

Her Indian heritage continues to shape her deeply empathetic approach. “Growing up watching my father treat patients in our hometown regardless of their means taught me what service truly means. The concept of seva, or selfless service, guides my work every day.”

Throughout her journey, Unitec’s teaching and clinical staff also made a lasting impression.
“They didn’t just teach me—they helped transform me into a professional ready to take on the real world.”

Parul’s advice for aspiring nurses is based on her own experience. “Nursing is not just a job—it’s a calling. There will be hurdles, but every challenge teaches you something. Build a support network, stay committed to learning, and above all, never lose your compassion.”

“The rewards of seeing your patients recover and knowing you made a difference in their lives make every difficult moment worthwhile.”

Her unique journey—from India to New Zealand to Australia—shows that no obstacle is insurmountable when passion is paired with support, resilience, and purpose. And for Parul, Unitec was the bridge that helped turn a personal dream into a life-changing career.

Learn more about Untec's Bachelor of Nursing