Dr Paula Sanchez - A Nursing Journey from Chile to South Western Sydney

Dr Paula Sanchez (nee Castro) was born in Chile in 1968. She was studying Marine Biology when her family had to leave the country in 1988 due to the difficult political situation.

She arrived in Australia with her parents and sister in 1988 under the Humanitarian Program which offered refuge to people who were being persecuted in their home countries.

This marked a turning point in her life as she settled into life in a new country. She went on to study nursing and work as a critical care specialist nurse and clinical educator for over 20 years. She has taught at the School of Nursing and Midwifery for over 20 years and is now a senior lecturer and researcher at Western Sydney University.

Join us, as Paula discusses her journey from becoming a nurse to becoming a senior lecturer. She will talk about the changes she has witnessed in the delivery of care to the community.

Paula has published over 25 scientific articles, book chapters and has presented her academic work at local, national and international levels. She is a firm believer that education and health should be accessible to everyone. She is an active member of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and a National Tertiary Education Union delegate.

Paula was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship for her PhD (doctorate) studies, which she completed in 2021.  This study confirmed the need for work in the field of oral health in the Australian cardiac setting. She is currently working on a project that is focused on developing and testing an oral health promotion program initiated by cardiac nurses in the cardiovascular settings, incorporating education, assessment, and referral.

 Paula continues to be involved in community and solidarity work. She plays several instruments and sings in a Latin American folk music band.