New nursing initiatives to fill shortage and improve retention
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is working closely with local health services to reduce the national shortage of health professionals through its two-year accelerated nursing program.
Offering students the chance to study three full semesters each year, the flexible program will enable students to graduate nine months earlier than those studying a standard full time program.
Head of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Cath Rogers-Clark said the accelerated program covers the same content as the standard program, but makes use of semester three.
'The content of both programs is the same, the accelerated program just involves students continuing their study over third semester, rather than taking a break during summer,' Professor Rogers-Clark said.
'Students also receive mentoring through intensive work placement programs with local health service partners.'
The Toowoomba and Darling Downs Health Service District, St Vincent's Hospital, St Andrews Hospital in Toowoomba and the Fraser Coast District Health Service, as well as local aged care and domiciliary services have partnered with the University on the initiative.
Student Amanda Schulz was in the first student cohort to undertake the accelerated program and said incentive of being in the workforce sooner was an opportunity too good to refuse.
'I chose the two year program because it was faster so I can get out there,' Amanda said.
'It's really good. It's fast-paced and I love it,' she said.
The opportunity to fast-track her nursing career and the reputation for nursing at USQ motivated Amanda to moving from Brisbane to study.
'I heard it was the best in Australia,' Amanda said.
'It's known world-wide - in the UK, America. It's very prestigious.
'I love the hands-on experience, and that the lecturers treat you nicely and I really like the team environment.'
Professor Rogers-Clark said USQ has seen a 20 per cent increase in enrolments in the Bachelor of Nursing program over the past two years, due in part to the changes made in the new degree.
'The new Bachelor of Nursing is responding to the changing health care system,' she said.
'As well as suiting the needs of our students, many of whom are mature aged, students can complete the accelerated program or study part or full time for three to five years to gain their nursing degree.
'This flexibility gives options to nursing students who are often juggling work, family and study responsibilities.'
The mentoring opportunities through practical experience with local health services are an added advantage.
'We have a new clinical model which offers stronger ongoing relationships for the students with local health services,' Professor Rogers-Clark said.
'The mentoring program essentially means rather than sending students in different blocks for two weeks here and there they are matched with an experienced registered nurse in one health facility for a longer period of time.
'Students are then placed well to apply for graduate positions as they already have relationships with the hospitals and services.
'Early signs at St Vincent's Hospital show the mentor program is improving retention amongst graduate nurses because they have been working there as students and feel more comfortable and less anxious about working there as a registered nurse.'
For more information on Nursing at USQ visit the website www.usq.edu.au/nursing
Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559
