Better together: Mentor and Mentee share program impact

For Susan Edmondstone and Carissa Beddows, becoming primary health care nurses has involved continuous learning, career shifts, and the consistent guidance of APNA’s Transition to Practice Program (TPP). 

TPP supports nurses as they move into primary health care, and it’s played a central role in both Susan and Carissa’s career development. Though their focus differs, they agree the program helped build their skills, boost their confidence, and connect them with the support they needed to succeed. 

Carissa Beddows (left) and Susan Edmonstone (right) photographed at the Festival of Nursing 2025 in Brisbane. 

Finding their footing in nursing 

As a young girl, Susan always had a desire to be at nurse, but it initially felt out of reach. “I always wanted to be a nurse,” she reflects, “but I never thought I was smart enough.” Instead, she began her career in public health, spending ten years in health promotion before returning to university to become a registered nurse. Her calling.  

While her early roles were in acute care, Susan soon gravitated toward primary health care. “I was more interested in what the discharge planner was doing,” she recalls. “Having a community health background, I realised that was my passion.” 

Carissa’s entry into nursing came later in life, after raising her children. “I just have a caring background and love working with people,” she says simply. Though her early years were spent in acute care and dialysis nursing, a move into general practice 10 months ago has been transformative. “It’s been fantastic,” she says. “It’s a whole different ball game.” 

Entering primary health care  

Neither Susan nor Carissa were overly familiar with primary health care when studying nursing, as university curriculum often leans toward acute settings. However, both now champion the sector, and programs like TPP, for opening new pathways. 

Susan’s TPP journey began seven years ago when a colleague suggested she join a new general practice team. “We were approached by the local PHN to take on a mentor, and that’s how the ball rolled for me.” She credits TPP with giving her a foundation for her entire career. 

For Carissa, the decision to join TPP came after stumbling upon it while doing other trainings on the APNA website. “I was already jumping in and doing other modules, and then I found TPP and thought ‘I'm going to do this’.” 

Living in a rural area, Carissa was drawn to TPP’s accessibility. “That’s what I liked about it- you could do it from anywhere,” she says. “I’m rural, and we often miss out on things like this. It was nice to be included.” 

The program’s online structure ensures that nurses from all corners of Australia can access the same support, education, and connection- regardless of location. 

The power of mentorship 

After participating as a TPP mentee, Susan has now come full circle as she serves as a mentor, helping new nurses navigate their transition into primary health care. “It’s really opened up opportunities and my confidence,” she shares. “I still stay in touch with my own mentor, Kim, from seven years ago. That relationship set the foundation for everything.” 

Earlier this year, Susan was matched with Carissa and another participant as part of a new TPP intake. As a mentor, Susan’s approach is to be ‘available’, encouraging her mentees’ independence while offering guidance when needed. “Both my mentees are very self-motivated,” she says. “I think just knowing that I’m there if they need me is the most important part.”  

Carissa has found the mentoring relationship to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the program. “I know Susan’s there if I need her,” she says. “Sometimes I’m in the practice on my own, and just having someone to bounce off is so helpful.” 

Now, Carissa is sharing her knowledge with others. “I’m training a newer nurse now who didn’t get a graduate program,” she explains. “I tell her, ‘You’d be showing me everything if we swapped roles.’ But it’s nice to be able to pass it on.” 

Life-long learning and renewed passion 

Both Susan and Carissa emphasise that the learning will not stop with the end of the program. TPP has inspired them to keep expanding their knowledge and skills in primary health care. Susan is preparing to undertake postgraduate studies in the field, while Carissa has recently completed her immunisation course and is exploring chronic disease management. 

“The programs really reignited my passion,” Susan says. “It’s pulled me out of my comfort zone and reminded me why I love what I do.” She’s since joined the APNA Nurse Advisory Board and has her sights set on further contributions to the sector. 

Carissa shares a similar sentiment. “I didn’t realise how much there was to learn in primary health until I started doing TPP,” she says. “Now, I’m passionate about chronic disease, diabetes, and have always considered doing my MP study... there's always bigger things out there.” 

While the professional development has been vital, both women say the sense of community built through TPP is just as valuable. 

Carissa and Susan’s experience at the Festival of Nursing was a highlight of their TPP journey, giving them the opportunity to connect with other nurses and feel part of a broader community. Attending sessions together and meeting peers in person helped strengthen their sense of support within the profession. “It was so nice to be around other people who just get it,” Carissa says. “You leave feeling re-energised and proud to be a nurse.” 

A path worth taking 

When asked if they would recommend the program to others, both show no hesitation in their response- a confident and wholehearted “Absolutely.” Their experience in the program has left a lasting impression, one they believe could benefit many others entering the world of primary health care. 

When prompted to summarise the program in one word, Carissa chooses motivating. “It really reignites your passion,” she explains. “There’s just so much more out there to learn.” 

Susan nods in agreement. “Empowering,” she adds. “It gives you the confidence to keep going, to keep growing, and to share that knowledge with others.” 

At its core, the Transition to Practice Program isn’t just about upskilling nurses, it’s about building a future for primary health care in Australia. With mentors like Susan and driven participants like Carissa, the ripple effect is clear. Knowledge is being shared, confidence is growing, and primary health care is being strengthened from the inside out. 

As Carissa says, “You’ve just got to get in there and do stuff.”

With TPP, nurses are doing just that, and transforming the future of care, one clinic at a time. 

Interested in learning more about APNA’s Transition to Practice Program? Visit our progam page to find out how you can take the next step in your primary health care career. 

TPP is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing as part of the 2023-2026 Nursing in Primary Health Care (NiPHC) Program.