A Gold Coast Health nurse is swapping the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the footy field, after signing a contract with the Gold Coast Suns.
It’s a dream Tayla Gregory has worked towards for many years, and until now had to balance with her nursing commitments providing specialist care for the Gold Coast University Hospital’s (GCUH) critically ill patients.
Originally from Newcastle, Tayla studied and started practicing nursing in her hometown before making the move to the Gold Coast.
“I thought I’d move up her for a year for a change, but it was too good to leave, so three and a half years later, I’m still here,” Tayla said.
Reflecting on her time in the ICU, Tayla explains how rewarding she finds her work.
“It’s a special role. You’re looking after patients when they’re at their worst time and at their sickest, so to be there for them and their families is a privilege. It’s hard, but it’s worth it,” Tayla said.
“There are definitely some patients that sit with you. Sometimes long-term patients come back in when they’re better and you get that closure that they’re feeling better.”
But alongside nursing, there has always been another passion in Tayla’s life, and after years of hard work she has finally achieved her dream of becoming an AFLW star.
Tayla said she’s looking forward to focusing on footy full-time.
“I’ve been balancing work and football which is hard, but now that I‘ve signed with Gold Coast Suns I can put a lot more of my time into that.”
“It’s so surreal. For so long footy has just been a passion and to think now it’s work and to be able to represent the Suns is so cool. I still don’t think it’s really set in.”
It’s a well-deserved nod to her skills in the key ruck position, with Tayla playing for the Southport Sharks for the past three years in a semi-professional capacity where she helped her team take out the 2024 QAFLW premiership.
While her strict training schedule will now limit the amount of time she can dedicate to nursing, Tayla is still passionate about providing care and will be taking on Gold Coast Health shifts wherever her schedule allows.
The AFLW Season kicks off on Thursday 14 August when the Gold Coast Suns take on the West Coast Eagles in Perth.
