International Nurses Day | Rhianna shines in emergency paediatrics

12 May, 2025

A young woman with long brown hair is smiling at the camera in a cozy indoor setting. She is wearing a cream-colored sweater featuring a large American flag design on the front.

As the world marks International Nurses Day, we shine a spotlight on Rhianna Stephens, a second-year BSc (Hons) Child Nursing student whose journey into healthcare is as remarkable as the compassion she brings to her role.

Born profoundly deaf, Rhianna spent much of her early life in and out of hospitals. “It was just a normal part of life for me,” she reflects. “But instead of putting me off, it made me want to give back, to be the person supporting others like nurses once supported me.”

That personal experience, combined with inspiration from her auntie (a children’s nurse) and an early interest in child development, led Rhianna to pursue child nursing at USW. Today, she's thriving on the course, with placements across hospitals giving her first-hand insight into both the everyday and extraordinary aspects of paediatric care.

One of those moments came recently during her A&E placement, when she assisted in an emergency resuscitation situation involving a six-year-old boy who was rapidly deteriorating.

“He came in with what looked like a basic urinary tract infection but started having seizures and his oxygen levels dropped fast,” Rhianna explained. “As a student nurse, I was scribing, supporting the team, and helping to reassure his parents while we prepared for a possible cardiac arrest.”

Thanks to quick thinking by the team, the child stabilised and was admitted safely to the ward. “I saw him running around the next day. You would never have guessed what he’d been through,” she said. “That’s the part of children’s nursing I love, how quickly they can bounce back.”

Despite the intensity of the work, Rhianna says she’s right where she wants to be. Her experience has taught her how to adapt and thrive, and her cochlear implants, one at 18 months and the second at eight years old, have never held her back.

“I rely on lip reading and use assistive software during lectures,” she explains. “But in practice, I communicate just fine. Children are always curious and ask questions, which I love. Adults sometimes avoid asking, but I always say I’d rather they did. It’s a chance to raise awareness.”

Rhianna credits her time in mainstream education and the support of her family and teachers for building the independence and confidence she brings to her nursing today.

Now halfway through her degree, Rhianna isn’t certain which area of child nursing she’ll specialise in just yet. But after enjoying her recent A&E rotation, she’s excited about exploring all possibilities.

“Child nursing is intense, there’s so much to learn, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You’re part of some of the most important moments in a family’s life. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”