Ashley Harley knew she wanted to pursue a science-based career when she finished school and she didn’t want to leave her home in Darwin. So, when it came time to pick her preferences for university studies, she jumped at the chance to join Flinders’ paramedicine degree.

One year in and the former Darwin High School graduate hasn’t looked back.

The 19-year-old said the first year of her Bachelor of Paramedic Science had been fun and exciting with the opportunity to learn how to treat heart attack patients as well as understand the drugs paramedics carry to save lives. “A subject in our first semester was on cardiac arrest so learning CPR and ventilation and also learned about a heap of medications this past semester to treat a range of medical conditions,” she said.

Ashley said in the recently completed second semester they learned how to treat trauma patients. She said the tight-knit cohort had come to be her mates as they supported each other through the pressures of study.

The Darwin local wants to use her skills in the Territory once her degree is completed. “I’m hoping to finish the course and do my internship with St John NT and then get a position,” she said.

Flinders is committed to increasing the local health workforce by training Territorians in the NT.

Learn more about Flinders University’s Bachelor of Paramedic Science (Northern Territory) here. Highlights of this degree include:

• Complete the theory online from anywhere in the Northern Territory
• Face-to-face components will be delivered via 1-2 week practical workshop intensives in state-of-the-art facilities in Darwin each semester
• You’ll be job-ready, with 300 hours of emergency ambulance placements over the duration of the degree with St John NT
• Collaboration with St John NT, the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) and Ambulance Victoria (AV) ensures industry relevance throughout your course.