Nurse turns to teaching health care's next generation

Rosemarie Garcia has returned to where her nursing training began, this time as a teacher to train the next generation of health workers.

“I started the training for my nursing career at TAFE NSW and it laid the groundwork for everything that followed,” Garcia said. “Returning now as a teacher is incredibly meaningful. I want to inspire future nurses the same way my teachers inspired me.”

TAFE NSW said Garcia’s return to the classroom comes amid a growing health workforce shortage. “Australia is facing a shortage of more than 70,000 nurses by 2035, while the population of the Liverpool region where Rosemarie now teaches is expected to exceed 1.2 million by the early 2030s,” TAFE NSW stated.

Garcia completed a Certificate III in Aged Care Support in 2007, then progressed through a Diploma of Nursing and eventually a Bachelor and Master of Nursing, working across intensive care, neonatal units, oncology and clinical education roles at Liverpool Hospital.

“Nursing has its challenges, but it’s also deeply rewarding. It’s a profession that humbles you, especially when you’re working at a patient’s bedside,” Garcia said. “At the end of the day, knowing I’ve made even the smallest difference in someone’s life is the most fulfilling part of my job. Now, I’m sharing the skills and knowledge I learnt at TAFE NSW to help others do the same.”

Significantly, Garcia’s classrooms feature simulation labs. These mirror real clinical conditions and reflect how healthcare environments are rapidly evolving, especially with the integration of technology like telehealth and remote monitoring, which mean nurses need to be agile and well-skilled in patient care and digital tools.

“TAFE NSW nursing simulation labs reflect the realities of modern health care,” Garcia said. “Whether it’s preparing for intensive care unit shifts or learning telehealth delivery, we ensure our students are ready to respond to real-world challenges in flexible models of care.”

Image: Rosemarie Garcia (supplied).