The Narre Warren North resident was one of 15 people who began their nursing career at the Clayton hospital last month.

They were among 113 graduates taking up their first nursing job at Southern Health during the International Year of the Nurse, which has the theme of honouring nurses' voices, values and wisdom.

Mrs Ringeri, who studied nursing at Monash University's Peninsula campus, said studying for her degree while planning her wedding helped keep everything in perspective.

"I was trying to do assignments and clinical placements. We actually got married five days after I finished my last placement.

"It was hard not to get carried away with the wedding, but finishing the course was hard work and kept me focused."

Mrs Ringeri met her husband, Matthew, when they were both 15yearolds working at fast food outlet Hungry Jacks.

She said she chose a career in nursing because she enjoyed helping people and had a

fascination with the human body.

Mrs Ringeri works in the paediatric unit and hopes to stay there.

"I love working with children and I would love to stay in this area of nursing.

"It can be hard sometimes watching children who aren't well, but the best thing about it is when they actually go home, because you know you've helped them get there.

"Some are even old enough to talk and can be a bit cheeky."

After she has finished her graduate year at South Health, she hopes to continue studying to specialise in paediatrics.