Double celebration for mother and son nursing graduates | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

• The University of the Sunshine Coast is set to graduate 1500 students this April

• The ceremonies will be held at Moreton Bay (8, 9, 10 April), Sunshine Coast (15, 16 April) and Fraser Coast (29 April). Details here.

• The season will bring the number of UniSC graduates to 43,500, as the university celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Kylie and Luke Walsh share more than a last name.

Over six years, they’ve conquered classes together, lived through a pandemic and mastered assignments and new skills while studying nursing at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Now, the mother and son are among more than 1500 students celebrating their graduation, having finished their degrees and begun jobs caring for patients in hospitals on the coast.

Graduation ceremonies will be held at UniSC’s campuses at Moreton Bay (8-10 April), Sunshine Coast (15-16 April) and Fraser Coast (29 April).

“It’s a unique experience that we had,” Kylie said.

"And we’ve come to the end of it together which is amazing. And look at us! We’ve both landed jobs in places we’re really happy to be.

Their journey at UniSC began in 2020, but the shared timing was pure coincidence. 

After a diverse career and raising a family, Kylie discovered UniSC’s Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) which helps prospective university students brush up on their knowledge and study skills.  

“I fell in love with learning. Through TPP I realised I was interested in going on with study and could see opportunities to change my career path. I kept coming back to nursing being the one thing that I always wanted to pursue,” she said. 

Having a keen interest in healthcare from his early teens, Luke had already accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Nursing Science at UniSC after completing Year 12 at St John’s College at Nambour.  

“Mum came to me and said, ‘I know you’re doing Nursing, but I have an interest in it too. Would that be ok?’ And, I said, ‘Go for it!’.”

As a result, Kylie joined Luke on campus as a non-school leaver. And, while they studied a few courses together, they made a conscious decision to tread their own path.

“It was nice having mum there. You’d go home and start chatting about content from the class. You always had someone to bounce ideas off,” Luke said.

Then COVID hit and UniSC transitioned to online learning.

While it was a challenging time, they helped each other with their studies and worked together to complete a group assignment from home during a COVID lockdown.

“We emailed the lecturer to seek permission and he said, ‘Absolutely, that’s fine.’ But he also said, ‘I couldn’t imagine doing a group project with my mum.’ He thought it was hilarious!” Kylie said.

The trials and the triumphs 

Juggling work and family commitments proved tough at times, and meant Kylie and Luke chose to study part time and take breaks at different points. 

During 2025, Kylie completed her final clinical placement in mental health care while Luke did his last placement in a short-stay hospital ward.  

Gaining hands-on experience throughout the degree was invaluable as was their support for each other – especially after a demanding day in an always busy hospital ward. 

“It was nice to come home and talk with mum. Particularly if it was a stressful shift. She was also a student on a placement at that time, so it meant we could debrief and understood what each other had experienced,” Luke said.  

He’s now begun a graduate nursing role with a multidisciplinary team in a general medical unit, while Kylie is relishing her job as a theatre nurse. 

“It’s very meaningful and rewarding but it’s also challenging,” Kylie said. 

“Theatre nurses have a great deal of responsibility for keeping patients safe at a time when they’re extremely vulnerable. It’s incredible to think that as nurses we’re able to be involved in helping improve patients’ quality of life.” 

They’ve now had a chance to reflect on their time at UniSC.

“Mum was one of the best students you could ever have. She was a much better student than I was, that’s for sure,” Luke said.

“I enjoyed my studies and the struggles with getting through COVID have helped with resilience now that I’m in the field. I’m glad that it’s led me to where I am now.”

Kylie is thankful she had the courage to grasp the opportunity to study at UniSC.

“I was nervous to be in a classroom and learning again. I appreciate the support that I’ve had from my family, my friends and the university. I’m glad that I did keep going even when it was probably easier to give up.

“I’m going to be forever grateful that I threw my hat in the ring at this stage of my life. Sometimes women can feel like they become a bit invisible at this age and stage, which I can relate to. But, if I can do it, anyone can do it.”