For the first time in WA, Curtin University of Technology’s School of Nursing and Midwifery is offering professionals an alternative pathway to begin a career in nursing – a move which can help alleviate the current nursing shortage in WA.
The new Master of Nursing Practice (Graduate Entry) targets postgraduates, not only in the health sciences but in various other disciplines, to complete the comprehensive two-year course which will enable them to register with the Nurse and Midwives Board of WA.
This new pathway will reduce the course length by one and a half years.
Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Phillip Della, emphasised the timeliness of this course.
“Following the recommendations by the National Nursing Review to introduce alternative entry pathways to nursing, this course comes at a time when there is a state-wide shortage of nurses and midwives across the private and public sector,” Professor Della said.
“The shortage is serious and ranges from 15 per cent in metropolitan areas and up to around 50 per cent in country areas.
“Professionals will find that their existing qualifications will not be wasted when embarking on a new career in nursing. On the contrary, their diverse backgrounds and life experiences will make them highly competitive once they graduate.”
Former Biomedical scientist Therese Weldt, one of the students who will start the course in the inaugural mid-year intake, believes her previous experience and qualifications would more than compensate for the reduced qualifying time.
”I decided to take on this course as my work in research did not give me the satisfaction in life I desired. I longed to work in an environment where I could interact with people and I often thought about a career in nursing,” Miss Weldt said
“As an active member of the St John Volunteer First Aid Service, I found patient care very rewarding, and I am really looking forward to taking up the challenge of a new career direction.”
Professionals who have a degree in the health sciences will be required to complete a Foundations of Nursing and Health 560 unit prior to commencing, while those with a degree from a different discipline will need to complete a unit in human biology, psychology, and the Foundations of Nursing and Health unit.
The Course includes a diverse range of units including Nursing Practice, Nursing Bioscience, Indigenous Australian Health and Culture and matters of Health research.
For more information on the Master of Nursing Practice (Graduate Entry) please email a.humphries@curtin.edu.au, telephone 9266 2053 or go online postgrad.curtin.edu.au.
Modified: 25 June 2008
