Getting back into practice
Introducing Lisa Butler
After more than a decade away from nursing, Lisa Butler stepped back into the profession with the support of La Trobe University’s Re-entry to Practice (Registered Nurse) course. With flexible online delivery, a four-week clinical placement, and the help of a $15,000 Victorian Department of Health Re-entry Pathway Scholarship for Nurses and Midwives, Lisa was able to return to a role she’s always loved, on her own terms.
Lisa originally qualified as a nurse in the 1990s but paused her career for around 13 years to raise a family, while continuing to work in healthcare as a phlebotomist. After COVID-19, she felt the pull back to nursing.
“I saw that there was such a need. I was watching my colleagues go through such a difficult time and the impact it had on them and the healthcare system, and I thought, ‘Well, now’s a really good time to return’.”
When the scholarship opportunity appeared in 2023, she applied straight away. The biggest hurdle, she recalls, was tracking down employment records. Some of her former workplaces no longer existed. But the course and registration process itself were smoother than she expected. The structure and support helped her refresh her knowledge and regain confidence in her clinical practice.
“The course itself, I absolutely loved. I loved the flexibility to do it online in my own time. If I had a quiet period at work, I could watch some lectures and take notes.”
Lisa now works in a medical and skin clinic in Heidelberg, Melbourne, which she loves.
“I wish I had done it years ago.”
Victorian Minister for Health amd Ambulance Services meets course alumni
La Trobe University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell, hosted a visit from the Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP, who visited the Bundoora campus to tour our state-of-the-art clinical teaching spaces, but also to meet people who have benefited from the Department of Health's scholarships.
Lisa, as well as Sarah Dass, Michelle Unger and Nikki McAlister, all of whom have completed the course and are now back in practice, were delighted to brief the Minister about how this funding was instrumental in their getting back to work.
Why AI capability matters now
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant trend, it’s already reshaping how organisations operate, innovate, and compete. In Australia, the need to keep pace with AI is growing rapidly, with an estimated 300,000 additional tech workers required by the end of the decade. For businesses, the message is clear: investing in AI capability isn’t optional, it’s essential.
AI is becoming embedded in day-to-day business operations from decision-making tools and customer service chatbots to predictive analytics and supply chain automation. The challenge facing organisations isn’t just about acquiring the latest tools; it’s about ensuring their workforce has the skills to use them effectively and responsibly.
Without an informed workforce, even the best AI tools will fail to deliver impact. That’s why La Trobe University is focused on building meaningful, practical, and ethically grounded AI education, especially for the workforce of today and tomorrow.
La Trobe researchers aren’t just teaching AI theory they’re building it, testing it, and applying it in real settings. In collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), La Trobe has developed cutting-edge AI tools, Reef-NeRF and Reef-3DGS, that generate photorealistic 3D models of the Great Barrier Reef. These tools dramatically reduce the time and cost required to monitor reef health and biodiversity, supporting critical environmental decision-making.
In the agricultural sector, La Trobe has worked with ag-tech startup Aglantis to develop AI-powered irrigation systems. These systems automate water delivery based on real-time sensor data, minimising runoff and optimising water usage, outcomes that are both environmentally and economically beneficial.
This hands-on, problem-solving approach is what sets La Trobe apart. The AI research happening here doesn’t sit on shelves, it’s co-developed with industry to solve real problems in real time.
These projects aren’t just interesting case studies they demonstrate the kind of innovation your organisation could lead, with the right capability in place.
La Trobe Professional offers programs that draw directly on this cutting-edge research. Our AI Foundations for Innovation course is designed for professionals and teams who need to understand the key principles of AI, explore its ethical implications, and gain practical experience with AI tools and techniques.
Whether you work in healthcare, logistics, education, manufacturing, or finance, the fundamentals are the same: you need a workforce that can adapt to AI, question it, work alongside it, and use it to create better outcomes.
Our approach to AI capability isn’t about producing data scientists it’s about creating confident, capable professionals who can engage with AI, lead its adoption, and understand its implications. AI is already changing your sector. The only question is whether your organisation is ready to lead that change or be disrupted by it?
By partnering with La Trobe, you’ll gain access to world-class research, practical learning pathways, and a network of experts who are shaping the future of work in Australia. Whether you're a team leader trying to get ahead of AI changes in your field, or a learning and development professional looking to upskill your workforce, La Trobe Professional is ready to support your next step.
Published 30 April 2025
Related courses
Meet the requirements for Division One registration, allowing re-entry to nursing within the Australian healthcare context.
Scholarships available for residents of Victoria.
Designed for people working in healthcare, this microcredential provides you with the skills to bridge the gap between cultural understanding and professional healthcare practice. You’ll be empowered with essential tools to foster inclusive, empathetic and evidence-based care.