Thursday, August 23, 2012

Dr Jane Mills ICN Florence Nightingale International Foundation Achievement Award 2013 - ACN Nominee

Dr Jane Mills FACN
As the Australian member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), ACN was invited to nominate an individual for the ICN Florence Nightingale International Foundation Achievement Award 2013.

It is with much pleasure that we inform you that Dr Jane Mills FACN was the successful ACN nominee. ACN would like to extend our congratulations to Dr Mills on receiving this prestigious nomination and we are delighted that ACN can formally acknowledge Dr Mills' significant and sustained contribution to our profession.

The announcement of the winner will occur at the ICN Congress in Melbourne, May 2013.

Please join us in congratulating Jane on this marvellous achievement.  Congratulations Jane, we are very proud as a School.


Sunday, August 19, 2012

New BNSc Curriculum Commencing 2013

Exciting news – we have redesigned the Bachelor of Nursing Science curriculum to increase student choices, improve the student experience and better meet health service requirements for graduates who are work ready with a new approach to transition to clinical practice. This curriculum is now ‘state-of-the-art’ and a fine example of best practice nursing curricula internationally.

The curriculum has now been fully accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Both new students and continuing students will be receiving the new curriculum from 2013.

Exciting changes include:
  • An observational visit to a health facility in first semester, first year.
  • A choice of distributed clinical placement (now called Professional Experience Placement or PEP) in second semester, first year. This means students will attend University for three days each week, and will be on PEP for the rest of the week. Distributed PEP will also occur in the clinical placement subject in second semester, second year.
  • A choice of distributed or block PEP in first semester of both second and third years.
  • A choice between 3 different elective subjects in second year: Specialist Nursing in Northern Australia, Rural and Remote Nursing or Clinical Leadership and Management, all with 10 days of block PEP attached.
  • A choice between 2 different elective subjects in third year: Community Approaches to Care or Applying Evidence to Practice.
  • A choice between 3 optional majors: rural and remote health, mental health and evidence based practice.
  • Laboratories and tutorials rolled into one Professional Experience Workshop (PEW) in the six required clinical practice subjects, to better link theory with practice.
  • A ‘Capstone’ subject, inclusive of 30 days block Professional Experience Placement, then a return to University for your final week of study, to allow best transition into the workforce.
 Please see the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition website for further information.

Friday, August 3, 2012

NAHSSS Scholarships now open - Close 14 Sept


The Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme [NAHSSS] is funded by Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.  The scheme is an Australian Government initiative supporting undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and midwifery studies at an Australian university or registered training organisation.

Application dates: The next round of scholarships for study in 2013 will open Monday 23 July 2012 and close Friday 14 September 2012.

Value of scholarship:
  • Undergraduate: Full time scholarship recipients will receive up to $10 000 per year to a maximum of $30 000 during their entry level nursing or midwifery studies. Part time students will receive up to $5000 per year to a maximum of $30 000. For those undertaking the double degree of Bacheolor of nursing/midwifery the maximum funding will be $40 000.
  • Postgraduate: The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of a scholarship worth up to a total of $15 000 per year for up to two years full time study or $7500 per year for up to four years part time study. 

JCU Postgraduate Courses commencing 2013:
  • Advanced Clinical Practice (PGCert / PGDip / Master)
  • Care of the Older Adult (PGCert / PGDip / Master)
  • Clinical Education (PGCert / PGDip / Master)
  • Critical Care (PGCert / PGDip / Master)
  • Disaster & Refugee Health (PGDip)
  • Infection Control (PGCert / PGDip)
  • Leadership & Management (PGCert / PGDip / Master)
  • Mental Health Care (PGDip) – in collaboration with QHealth TPNEP Mental Health course
  • Midwifery (PGDip / Master)
  • Neonatal Care (PGCert / PGDip)
  • Nurse Practitioner (Master)
  • Nursing Studies (PGCert / PGDip / Master)
  • Oncology Care (PGDip) - in collaboration with QHealth TPNEP Oncology course
  • Perioperative Care (PGCert  / PGDip) - in collaboration with QHealth TPNEP Perioperative course
  • Renal Care (PGCert / PGDip) - in collaboration with QHealth TPNEP Renal course
  • Rural & Remote (PGCert / PGDip) – in collaboration with QHealth RIPRN course
  • Specialist Paediatric Care (PGCert / PGDip) - in collaboration with QHealth TPNEP Paediatric Community/Acute Care course

Visit the RCNA Scholarships website for eligiblity criteria, applications and further information.


Thursday, August 2, 2012

UniBreak Health Work - Volunteer Program Antipodeans Abroad

Antipodeans Abroad organises one month volunteer global health placements – longer if desired - in a number of developing countries. These placements (listed below) are a great way for students to immerse themselves into another culture, apply their coursework in supported, practical settings and gain invaluable insight into healthcare delivery in a resource poor setting.

Countries where we offer students a structured program include: Ghana, India, Nepal, Cambodia, the Maldives, and Vietnam

To be accepted, students must be studying a health related discipline.

Depending on their destination of choice, students will work alongside health professionals in a provincial hospital, primary healthcare centre, childrens disability centre, rehabilitation clinic, dental clinic, old age home or Ayurvedic clinic as well as being involved in health education in village schools.

Here's how.
  1. Visit our UniBreak homepage
  2. Read our Blogsite and Facebook page to hear from past volunteers
  3. Register for an Info Night or webinar
  4. Complete an Application Form to find out more