Sister Bridget Clancy Scholarship recipient paves the way for nursing advancement

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Clinical Nurse Specialist Ashleigh Murray has been selected as one of 24 recipients of a scholarship to further her education.

Ashleigh, who works in the Hospital’s colorectal and general surgery ward, is using the Sister Bridget Clancy Scholarship for the Empowerment of Women through Education to study a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) at Edith Cowan University Australia.

“I have always loved the colorectal specialty and had wanted to do the stoma course for years, but it was very expensive,” she said.

“I received the Bridget Clancy Scholarship in 2022, and it took the financial burden off the study to a manageable amount.”

The scholarship, which was first offered in 2021 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Sister's foundation, seeks to continue the legacy of the visionary and courageous women who founded St John of

God Health Care in Australia.

The scholarship was open to female caregivers undertaking studies focused on leadership development or related to women's health.

Ashleigh has worked at St John of God Murdoch for the past 14 years, and found her passion for the colorectal specialty after working throughout the hospital on different wards as well as in the Emergency Department.

“I started at Murdoch in 2008 as a graduate,” she said.

“I had the opportunity to step into the Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist role part-time in March 2020, and was made full time in June.

“I did my post grad in Wound Ostomy and Continence last year, and this year started my Master Nurse Practitioner in Stoma and Colorectal.

“I love being a support for my bowel cancer patients, from diagnosis all the way through their treatment and educating patients, family, and staff on