A new start with heart and art

Like many non-school leavers thinking about uni, former flight attendant Taneal Barber was looking for change when she came to ACU. She found it and since graduating has combined her two passions, art and nursing, to land right where she wants to be.

After five years in Dubai and the airline industry, Taneal decided it was time to return to Australia and embark on a new career.

“I flew for three different airlines, which meant extensive aviation medical training. During that training, and through many onboard medical situations, I enjoyed learning about medicine and was the flight attendant who ran toward onboards medicals, as opposed to most who ran the other way. It made sense to return to Australia and expand on that training,” she says.

The right fit

Taneal was first drawn to ACU’s Bachelor of Nursing because she knew the university’s graduates had a great reputation.

“I chose ACU because of it’s positive nursing reputation and intimate campuses. As a non-school leaver I was able to gain entry through recognised work and life experience, as opposed to an ATAR score,” says Taneal.

“ACU's flexibility allowed me to complete my studies alongside many commitments, which included running an art business and a nonprofit. Without support and understanding during those years I wouldn't have been able to complete my degree and continue merging art and nursing. 

“I got to know my lecturers and continued growing that rapport throughout my studies. Making it easy to approach them for further support. I was able to reach out to discuss how best to balance all my commitments and move forward successfully.”

The rest is history. Taneal thrived during her studies at ACU, graduated in 2021, and is now making a real difference in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital's (RBWH) mental health ward for adolescents.

Combining passions

Taneal had always been drawn to art and uses painting as a creative outlet from daily stress and a form of self-expression. While studying in 2017 she was able to relight the creative spark that had been dormant during her time in the sky. Within 12 months she had taken part in exhibitions in London and Brisbane and had a thriving business selling her paintings. 

Taneal the artist.

“I'm proud to say, since beginning my nursing career, I've been able to merge both my skillsets when caring for patients resulting in exhibiting a mental health series of paintings at the RBWH mental health exhibition and I’m working on a larger scale series for one of my next solo exhibitions,” says Taneal.

She also gets her patients in on the creativity by hosting therapeutic art workshops, called Operation: Art.

“Operation: Art was founded after I was commissioned to do a painting for the RBWH’s new You Can, Youth Cancer Centre. After the opening of the centre, they asked if I'd be interested in running a one-off workshop for the young adults who were living with cancer,” she says.

“During my first workshop, I was inspired by the strength and determination of the many young people who attended. I worked with three teenagers who had been staying on the same oncology unit for months, sharing rooms with adults, and had never met or connected with another young adult who was experiencing cancer. 

“That moment was when I knew I couldn't stop at one workshop. There was a gap in the system of care for young adults living with cancer. Now in our fourth year, I'm proud to have fostered an incredible community of young cancer patients who no longer go through their battle alone.”

Always caring

Ask Taneal if she thinks she’s making a difference to others her answer will always be a resounding, “Yes, absolutely.” 

“Most days I know that I have made a positive impact in someone's life. Whether that be delivering care in the hospital or community, or my natural ability to help strangers in grocery stores, because my nursing skills don't seem to ever turn off,” she says.

“Every day I learn something new, my goal is to never stop learning, we never know everything.

“I’ve just been awarded a scholarship to study a Masters of Mental Health and Art Therapy and I can't wait. My plan is to merge all my skillsets and become a clinical registered art therapist.”

Taneal’s advice to future nurses is to speak up and be honest throughout your nursing career and lean on and learn from those around you, especially during the tough times.

“Unfortunately, I've lost many patients, young and old. Taking the time to process and debrief these losses has been vital to my own mental health. Not many of our family members and friends will ever understand the work we do. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance and support from your senior staff members and be sure to prioritise moments for your own self-care.”

Ready to make a difference like Taneal? Explore our nursing courses.