Published Wednesday, 27 June, 2007 at 03:12 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
PREMIER ANNOUNCES NEW PROGRAM TO BOOST NURSING CAREERS
Premier Peter Beattie today announced plans for a statewide roll out of a new training initiative geared to increase the number of nurses entering the workforce in Queensland.
The new Nurse Education Model was developed by Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE’s Loganlea Campus and Griffith University’s Logan Campus and offers a seamless pathway between vocational training and degree studies.
“The new model allows students to start studying a Diploma of Nursing as well as earn credit for their bachelor’s degree, giving them more career options and job opportunities as they go and reducing the uni attrition rate,” Mr Beattie said.
“This means students can join the workforce earlier as well as gain credit for advanced studies later,” he said.
“It’s a win-win for students and for health care.”
Under the program students can exit their studies with a Diploma of Nursing after 18 months and work as qualified enrolled nurses. Alternatively, they can go on to complete a degree to become registered nurses, with their earlier training credited towards their advanced studies.
“Negotiations are now underway with other universities, including in North Queensland, to make the program statewide,” Mr Beattie said.
Acting Education and Training Minister Margaret Keech said the Nurse Education Model would gives students practical nursing skills while increasing the number of skilled nurses entering the industry.
“It’s great to see our educational institutions working together like this to improve opportunities where there is a shortage of skilled workers and meeting student needs by better co-ordinating training and sharing resources and expertise,” Mrs Keech said.
“It also promotes collaboration and cross-sector training with vocational education and higher education working together in a format that can be adapted in many vocational and professional areas,” she said.
Griffith University Deputy Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Dr Marion Mitchell said the model was an innovative way of encouraging students into the nursing profession.
“There is a shortage of registered nurses in the workforce and we’re looking for ways to encourage enrolled nurses to progress into the Bachelor of Nursing,” Dr Mitchell said.
“The initiative supports TAFE students in a university environment and shows them they are already part of Griffith if they choose to complete the degree program,” she said.
As part of the pilot program, Griffith University gave Bachelor of Nursing students who had completed at least two years study the chance to fast-track their Diploma of Nursing qualification in just eight weeks.
June 27, 2007
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – Marnie Stitz – 32237 1000, 0419 734 985
The new Nurse Education Model was developed by Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE’s Loganlea Campus and Griffith University’s Logan Campus and offers a seamless pathway between vocational training and degree studies.
“The new model allows students to start studying a Diploma of Nursing as well as earn credit for their bachelor’s degree, giving them more career options and job opportunities as they go and reducing the uni attrition rate,” Mr Beattie said.
“This means students can join the workforce earlier as well as gain credit for advanced studies later,” he said.
“It’s a win-win for students and for health care.”
Under the program students can exit their studies with a Diploma of Nursing after 18 months and work as qualified enrolled nurses. Alternatively, they can go on to complete a degree to become registered nurses, with their earlier training credited towards their advanced studies.
“Negotiations are now underway with other universities, including in North Queensland, to make the program statewide,” Mr Beattie said.
Acting Education and Training Minister Margaret Keech said the Nurse Education Model would gives students practical nursing skills while increasing the number of skilled nurses entering the industry.
“It’s great to see our educational institutions working together like this to improve opportunities where there is a shortage of skilled workers and meeting student needs by better co-ordinating training and sharing resources and expertise,” Mrs Keech said.
“It also promotes collaboration and cross-sector training with vocational education and higher education working together in a format that can be adapted in many vocational and professional areas,” she said.
Griffith University Deputy Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Dr Marion Mitchell said the model was an innovative way of encouraging students into the nursing profession.
“There is a shortage of registered nurses in the workforce and we’re looking for ways to encourage enrolled nurses to progress into the Bachelor of Nursing,” Dr Mitchell said.
“The initiative supports TAFE students in a university environment and shows them they are already part of Griffith if they choose to complete the degree program,” she said.
As part of the pilot program, Griffith University gave Bachelor of Nursing students who had completed at least two years study the chance to fast-track their Diploma of Nursing qualification in just eight weeks.
June 27, 2007
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – Marnie Stitz – 32237 1000, 0419 734 985