Community come out in force in support of student nurses

The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation donated to the appeal

More than 180 people from across the Toowoomba and surrounding community gathered last week to show their support for nursing students during the launch of an appeal to provide special clinical placement bursaries.

Organised through USQ's Faculty of Sciences, the appeal got off to a flying start with the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation supporting the initiative to the tune of $10,000 and pledging a further $10,000 for 2011 with USQ’s Vice Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove matching these amounts.

Developed to encourage nursing students to apply for rural or remote clinical placements, the bursary will be welcome news for these health services which often struggle to attract staff.

'The nursing and midwifery skills shortage in the hospitals and health services of rural and remote Queensland is increasing, and with an increasing need for these services in these communities it is vital that more nurses are encouraged to work in these areas,' Head of Nursing and Midwifery at USQ, Professor Cath Rogers-Clark, said.

While many individuals are eager to undertake nursing degrees, many also run into financial hardship during critical training placement periods.

With many student nurses on low incomes, some single parents and some working other jobs to support their families while studying to be a nurse, unfortunately financial problems can prevent them from attending rural and remote clinical placements.

However, Advancement Officer in USQ’s Office of External Relations Tiffany Hardy said that with support from these communities, evident at the launch and by asking individuals to ‘sponsor a nursing student’ through this bursary, nursing students could be relieved of some of the financial strain which currently affects their ability to achieve their potential.

'Friday night was a great success, it was a terrific showing of support from not only the Toowoomba community but also from across Queensland and New South Wales,' Ms Hardy said.

'It was a fantastic start to the appeal. We will also be seeking support from all of the community and organisations in areas where our nursing students are placed.'

The event also gave the Faculty the chance to celebrate International Nurses Day and the 20th Anniversary of nursing education at USQ as well as present the Felicity Purcell Nursing Bursary and Sister Elizabeth Kenny Memorial Fund Scholarship.

For more information on how you can support the appeal contact Tiffany Hardy on 07 4631 2840 or email tiffany.hardy@usq.edu.au 

Contact Details:
Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or 0400 025 429