APPOINTMENT DAY: Jessica Limmer of Bodalla getting sworn in at defence force recruiting in Canberra.
A WOMAN from Bodalla has been selected as one of 14 people Australia-wide to join the defence force as an undergraduate nurse.
Jessica Limmer is in her final year of a nursing degree at Charles Sturt University and works with the Eurobodalla Nursing Service.
At 26 years of age Jessica was concerned about her future career and looked into the options available.
She decided the army could offer her an interesting career and hence put in an application.
The recruitment process took six months involving interviews, aptitude tests and physical fitness tests.
As other contenders fell by the wayside Jessica passed with flying colours and was offered a position just before Christmas last year. The army offers only 14 positions annually so Jessica feels on top of the world.
“I’m so pleased to be a part of such a massive organisation,” Jessica said. “It was hard work but it finally paid off.”
Jessica was in training to get into good physical condition and has since continued with the additional exercise.
Nothing else changes for Jessica for the next year other than the army paying her to complete her final year of study.
Then she will work for two years in a civilian hospital before beginning a three-year contract in an army hospital.
At that time Jessica could find herself being sent anywhere in the world.
Despite fears of their daughter being sent to Afghanistan, Jessica’s parents, Glenda and Bill McConkey are happy and proud.
And Jessica’s thoughts on Afghanistan: “It’s my job. All those boys, and girls, on the frontline will protect me.”