Nursing degree set to attract students back to profession
A new nursing curriculum developed by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) may help reduce the skills shortage in Queensland Hospitals.
Developed in conjunction with local health care providers, the new nursing degree leads the field in Queensland by offering a flexible and current approach to nursing education.
USQ Head of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr Cath Rogers-Clark, said the University recognised that more registered nurses were needed to deliver high quality health care in Queensland.
'We are the only university in Queensland to offer an accelerated two calendar year nursing degree for students who want to fast-track their program by studying three semesters a year. This means they can be out in the workforce and earning RN wages almost a year ahead of those in standard three year programs.'
Students will complete the same amount of theoretical and practical work and assessment as students enrolled in the three year program however the degree utilises the summer semester.
'This mode of study suits students who are motivated and prepared to undertake the two year work load.
'The program sits really well with the Commonwealth and State Government's reports about the need to offer more innovative and flexible nursing programs which are appealing to students from a variety of backgrounds.'
The flexibility in the new Bachelor of Nursing provides all students with more flexible study options, including better part-time pathways for students with family or work commitments.
The program also boasts better student clinical experience options through a mentorship program and also provides enrolled nurses easier pathways to a university degree.
'In our old block clinical experience program sometimes students would need to take out loans just to cover their living expenses while they were on clinical experience, especially when they were unable to work for weeks at a time.
'However, students who gain entry to our Mentor program have the capacity to negotiate the timing of their clinical experience hours with their professional mentors. This provides greater flexibility to the students who in many cases have families and work commitments.
'Our program has been developed with the input of a number of local health care services including Toowoomba Health Services, St Vincent's Hospital, St Andrews Hospital, Warwick Hospital, Rural and Remote facilities, Aged Care and many other local health services.'
The fully accredited program commences in semester one of this year.
Media Contact: Connie-Louise Alexander, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 297