‘Age is just a number’
ANYTHING is possible if you put your mind to it and Sheryl Kupfer is living proof.
Working as a registered nurse and clinical educator, Ms Kupfer managed to complete her entire tertiary education, all while being on dialysis.
The 59-year-old who works at the Anglicare Southern Queensland Symes Thorpe aged care facility, said her personal experience was what drove her to pursue a career to help others.
“I always thought about getting into nursing when I finished school but just never got around to it, so my health challenges are actually what made me start studying,” Ms Kupfer said.
“My nurses were incredible and they really inspired me to become a nurse, so I would bring my textbooks up and study while I was on dialysis.”
Ms Kupfer who would spend 18 hours a week on dialysis, later received a kidney transplant and said the special gift was serving her well.
For most students, completing a Bachelor’s and Masters degree under normal circumstances takes a lot of energy, time and determination, but Ms Kupfer managed to do it all while receiving her treatment.
“It involved a lot of sleepless nights and I would often bring my textbooks and work when I was getting dialysis,” she said.
“I was a really mature aged student with no computer skills at all, so my sister really helped me out with that too – she was great.”
Completing her tertiary education at the University of Southern Queensland’s Toowoomba campus, Ms Kupfer submitted the final assessment piece of her Masters last year.
The caring nurse said her favourite part of the job was being able to help people.
She said she encouraged anyone considering studying a course or a change in careers, to follow their dreams, regardless of factors like age.
“Once you take those steps and make a start, you realise age is nothing but a number,” Ms Kupfer said.
“Just go for it – you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.”
Last week on May 12, Ms Kupfer celebrated International Nurses Day with her colleagues.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Symes Thorpe is at 69 Stenner St, Middle Ridge.