My journey to FANZCA has been long, meaningful, and filled with experiences I deeply cherish.
My journey to FANZCA has been long, meaningful, and filled with experiences I deeply cherish. I completed my anesthesia training and cardiac anaesthesia fellowship in India before coming to Australia with my family.
Our initial plan was simple: gain overseas experience and eventually return home. However, as we began exploring Australia, we fell in love with the country and decided to build our future here. In 2019 I started my first job in Australia as an ICU registrar in Adelaide. My husband and I decided to focus on obtaining general registration and successfully cleared AMC Part 1. While preparing for AMC Part 2, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and all examinations were postponed indefinitely.
Not wanting to lose momentum, we researched alternatives and discovered the work-based assessment (WBA) pathway. I was selected for WBA program at Hervey Bay Hospital, a beautiful regional town in Queensland. Working in a regional hospital turned out to be a turning point in my career. I worked across almost every department—ED, ICU, medical, and surgical—and in both RMO and registrar roles. This exposure gave me a deep understanding of the Australian healthcare system, strengthened my clinical skills, and significantly boosted my confidence.
During my time there, I completed the WBA and achieved my Ahpra General Registration. Although I enjoyed working across different specialties, I deeply missed working as an anaesthetist. I applied again for anaesthetic positions and was offered a service registrar role at Armadale Hospital in Perth. Coming back to anaesthesia after nearly four years away was both exciting and nerve- 2 wracking, but the Department of Anaesthesia at Armadale was incredibly supportive and helped me regain my confidence.
In 2023, I stepped up to a general fellow position at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where I was fortunate to have encouraging colleagues and excellent guidance. I applied for the SIMG pathway and was deemed partially comparable in December 2023. My plan was to sit the exam in the first sitting of 2025, but life had other plans—I was pregnant with my second child, and my due date coincided with the exam dates. I decided to defer to the second sitting, but preparing with a newborn was extremely challenging. With unwavering support from my husband, family, and friends, I was able to clear the exam on my first attempt. I have truly enjoyed every step of this journey. It has shaped me not only as a professional but also as a person.
I am deeply grateful to my family and to my workplace, Fiona Stanley Hospital, for their constant support and guidance.