The Coonamble resident completed a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) at TAFE NSW Coonamble - through TAFE Western Connect - and is now in the middle of a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Dubbo.

"I've had plenty of personal experience with pregnancy and child birth and thought that midwifery would be the perfect fit for me," Ms O'Neil said.

"I loved that I didn't have to travel to attend TAFE NSW, the flexibility was ideal with young children. I was also able to learn everything I needed to complete work placement, which really reinforced that I was on the right career path."

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

There is a high demand for trained nurses in Western NSW. With an ageing population the health sector is also one of the areas where thousands of jobs are expected to be added.

"Within the next five years I hope to be in a career I love, working as a midwife locally which will also ease the financial strain of raising six kids," Ms O'Neil said.