Flight Lieutenant Gabriella Nixon loves nursing and snowboarding. Her career with Air Force has enabled her to pursue both passions. This is her story in her own words (as told to Corporal Melina Young).
I was volunteering for a not-for-profit nursing program in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during 2016, where I educated staff at underprivileged schools on basic medical care for their students, conducted health checks on hundreds of students, addressed basic healthcare needs and promoted health education.
This opened my eyes and broadened my perspective of global healthcare concerns.
I gained a newfound passion and direction for my nursing career: working outside a hospital in diverse healthcare environments, travelling and adapting my skills and knowledge to help people in need.
I researched possibilities and this led me to the ADF Careers website’s nurse profile.
I was drawn in by the possibility of working on humanitarian assistance disaster relief tasks and aeromedical retrieval.
Putting my goals and ideas into motion I began the journey with a phone call to Air Force Recruiting.
The journey took two years, studying nursing one night and Defence the other. But before I knew it, I received a phone call informing me I’d been awarded a Defence University Sponsorship.
I was ecstatic! I called my family straight away to let them know the news. My mum especially was very proud.
Mum would fly interstate to support me each time I progressed to the next point in the recruiting process. She would sit at the café downstairs anxiously awaiting the day’s outcome as I presented impromptu speeches, attended interviews, wrote essays and sat tests.
‘I gained a newfound passion and direction for my nursing career: working outside a hospital in diverse healthcare environments, travelling and adapting my skills and knowledge to help people in need.’
Knowing I was one of two who received a sponsorship in 2017 felt incredible, especially knowing Defence sort nominations nationwide and it was a highly competitive process.
Meeting the criteria meant I was obliged to keep my grades and physical fitness standards high.
In turn, the third year of my degree was paid, textbooks funded and I began receiving a salary.
At the time, I was juggling a couple of jobs, studying and living away from home.
So to have a salary and a guaranteed position in the Air Force when I completed my degree was a weight off my shoulders.
I’m great friends with the other sponsored nurse.
We signed on the dotted line in different states, navigated paperwork together, and after years of texting, our paths crossed at Officer Training School three years later.
But the best part is we now work together at 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron (2EHS).
‘… I never knew the biggest and best surprise the ADF had to offer was the opportunity to combine my love for nursing with my passion for snowboarding.’
Since being appointed I have had the opportunity to advance my nursing skills in a wide variety of areas including aviation nursing, trauma nursing, and operational health and field medicine.
I have conducted various aeromedical retrieval missions and exercises both nationally and internationally, and my current goal is to deploy with the Role 1 Medical Treatment Facility at my posted unit, 2EHS.
In my 2EHS operations officer role, I assist in facilitating teams for these tasks and it’s very rewarding to hear members’ experiences when they return home.
Throughout this journey, I never knew the biggest and best surprise the ADF had to offer was the opportunity to combine my love for nursing with my passion for snowboarding.
In 2022, I joined the RAAF Alpine Snowsports Association (RASA) and had an unforgettable experience.
I competed in amateur-level snowboard racing since primary school and always loved the blend of adrenaline, focus and desire to win.
Since joining RASA, I’ve raced against the Navy, Army and UK Armed Forces, representing the RAAF female snowboarders as captain in 2022 and taking out gold for the ADF Alpine Sports Association boarder-cross championships in 2023.
I couldn’t believe it when they called my name to stand on the podium and receive the gold medal and big trophy.
Attending RASA not only provided me the chance to snowboard but initiated deeper connections as well.
Members from my squadron, Health Services Wing and the other services were there too, and it was a chance to build friendships, network and connect outside of work.
Back in 2016, I didn’t think I could combine my career and love for snowboarding when I first mapped out my nursing goals while sitting in my dorm room at university, but the ADF surprised me.
