HSC students kick-start their nursing careers

03 April 2008

A group of forward-thinking students will leave school with a nationally-recognised nursing qualification and a few dollars in their pocket next year thanks to a unique initiative available through Hunter New England Health.

In 2008 two new trainees from Walcha, have signed up for the Certificate III in aged care traineeship being offered as a joint venture with Hunter New England Health, TAFE and the Department of Education and Training.

The certificates will enable the students to enter the paid workforce while learning “on the job” for a qualification which counts as credit towards their final HSC result.

Walcha MPS manager Kristine Smith said the school-based traineeships would not only give students interested in nursing a head-start to their career but provide another avenue by which the Area could attract and retain nurses.

“We are very pleased that this program – in its second year – is enabling school, students to discover how fulfilling and rewarding a career in nursing can be,” Ms Smith said.

“By providing the vocational education the Hunter New England Health is helping young people in our communities to get a taste of what interests them and meets their aptitudes – helping them to make career decisions for the future, giving them a head start in the career of their choice, and making transition into the workforce much easier.

“The Area Health service views these traineeships as a way of “growing our own” nurses, with the students being able to continue their studies as trainee enrolled nurses or undertake the Bachelor of Nursing at a university.”

Each week the students work at the hospital to complete the practical part of the course, spending 100 days in employment over two years of the program. The students also undertake their theory through TAFE via a variety of technologies.
Trainees provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse.

At the conclusion of the School Based Traineeship some of the programs most dedicated students could be offered further training and employment opportunities.

The two students will officially sign up for the course today at Walcha Multipurpose Centre at 11.30am.

For more information about to participate in the innovative program call either Kris Smith on 6777 4254 or Sue Brazil, Nurse Manager, Nursing and Midwifery Services on 0414 452 094.

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767