Gillian Harris

I began working in the field of healthcare in the UK in the late 1980’s and have been a registered nurse since 1996 and a registered midwife since 2006. I have worked in a variety of clinical areas ranging from primary healthcare to acute areas in tertiary hospitals. Prior to coming to Australia, I also spent three years working as a registered nurse in the Middle East. My family moved to Townsville in 2006 and I worked as a registered midwife for several years within Townsville Hospital and Health Service [THHS]. From 2012 I began sessional tutoring/subject coordinating at JCU and in 2014 I became a midwifery educator at THHS/lecturer at JCU. I started as a full time lecturer at JCU in 2016.

Qualifications include Bachelor of Science (Honours) Community Health Specialist Practitioner (District Nurse) and Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (Honours) The dissertations completed for these degrees are entitled ‘The concept and reality of assessment: a critical analysis of the complex professional issues involved with recommendations for enhancing practice’ and ‘How can the concept of informed choice become a reality within midwifery care provision in the UK?’ I also completed a Master of Midwifery degree from JCU in 2013 and I am currently studying the Graduate Certificate of Education (Academic Practice), also at JCU.

I really enjoy sharing my experiences with the students and am excited and privileged to be involved in preparing students – both undergraduate and postgraduate – for their fulfilling future roles as midwives and nurses.