Student Spotlight: Sianne, MSc Women’s Health

Sianne, why did you choose to study your programme?

I want to take great pride in inspiring and empowering women in their bodies, sexual health and general well-being. I chose this programme because I wanted to develop a greater insight into key health factors of women and broaden my knowledge so that I too, can take better care of myself and live with a different, more transparent and positive perspective. Using the knowledge and expertise I will gain from studying this course will allow me to recognise and shed light on women's health issues so that more women are conscious of their health risks and can act to protect themselves accordingly.

I want to integrate Women’s Health with my current profession, by educating, providing support, advice, and access and creating resources and a platform for women (including babies) of all ages, in distinct parts of the world, specifically in Low Middle-Income Countries. I wish to use what I will learn here in my career as a Paediatric Nurse as well as find a speciality in Women’s Health, e.g., sexual/reproductive health/gynaecology/obstetrics, medical law, policies or domestic violence, to better the overall health and knowledge of women across the world. I will also use the opportunity to academically teach elements of Women’s Health in Paediatric Nursing, at universities. 

What have you enjoyed most about the programme so far?

• People who come from different backgrounds, cultures and professions. It is a luxury being surrounded by people with a range of skills, knowledge and lifestyles as you learn so much from them. It questions your 'open-mindedness' and equips you to learn more and gain better knowledge about things you thought you knew or did not know.
• The lecturers are skilled and knowledgeable and are willing to answer your questions to the best of their abilities
• The connections and links you can make  from integrating with different people
• It is a challenging and demanding programme but you gain something out of it - even if it is one thing. I always learn something new about myself and what I have studied/researched, despite it making me want to pull out my hair at the moment!

Are you interested in any specific careers after your studies? If so, what are your future career goals?

In the future, I also see myself working abroad to use my expertise. One of my purposes in life is to inspire, encourage and serve. I further desire to work with policy-makers and agencies such as WHO, HFEA, and UNICEF to improve women's healthcare for women of all ages, spread awareness, work towards closing the gap of ignorance in knowledge, and disparities and health inequalities and challenge current practices/ethics/beliefs/policies that are not beneficial, holistic and accessible to all. I also want to seize the opportunity to teach elements of Women’s Health in Paediatric Nursing, at universities and in different clinical settings in LMICs to improve healthcare.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

• Be open-minded
• Be yourself
• Be inquisitive
• Organise yourself well in advance
• Research, research, research!
• Challenge yourself (e.g., by coming out of your comfort zone and setting yourself personal goals and targets)
• Be kind to yourself and give yourself some grace
• Be realistic about where you are now and where you want to be and how that might look like in terms of achieving your future aspirations (but also dream big too - there's nothing wrong with that. It gives you something to work towards)
• Disappointments do not always equate to failure. It is also still a success as sometimes your desired outcome was meant to be different. There may be something different out there for you that you NEED and once you discover that, you will realise that it was meant for you and that you still succeeded in the end. You just needed redirection.