New BNSc & BMid students - begin your mandatory clinical paperwork now

New BNSc & BMid students - begin your mandatory clinical paperwork now

Welcome Students - are you desperately waiting for uni to start? Prepare early - come to the Clinical Placement Office and begin your mandatory paperwork requirements for professional experience placements. We can commence the process for a blue card and Australian Federal Police Check and Immunisation checks.

Townsville: Belinda Tuckett, Clinical Placement Officer, Room 222 (Level 2), Nursing Sciences (Bldg 25). Phone 47815492; Email belinda.tuckett@jcu.edu.au

Cairns: Christine Rollo, Clinical Placement Officer, Room A2.014, Cairns Campus. Phone 42321780; Email christine.rollo@jcu.edu.au

Thelma Myers Memorial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing Scholarship

Closing Date for Applications Extended to 3 February 2014

Established in 2003 by Carolyn Dixon, a psychiatric mental-health nurse, in memory of her mother Thelma Myers, the scholarship will be awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate nursing students, commencing their second year of study in the Bachelor of Nursing Science, or the Bachelor of Nursing Science/Bachelor of Midwifery at the Townsville campus.  The donor hopes that the availability of the scholarship will be seen as part of a reconciliation process. For 2014 and 2015, two undergraduate students will be paid $7,500 each year for two years, with such amounts to be paid quarterly in each year.

Applications for this Scholarship close:  Close of Business Monday 3rd February 2014

Applications to be made on the form available at:
http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/public/groups/everyone/documents/scholarships/jcutst_058408.pdf

Eligibility criteria

For the years 2014 and 2015, the Scholarship shall be open to competition among candidates who are:

• undergraduate nursing students who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• entering their second year of study at the Townsville campus in either the Bachelor of Nursing Science or Bachelor of Nursing Science/Bachelor of Midwifery degree within the discipline of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition at James Cook University.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee will, in the exercise of their absolute discretion, afford consideration to the following criteria:

CULTURAL

• Proof of DEEWR registration Indigenous Cadetship Scheme or evidence of application for same
• Reference from an Elder in community or representative of community controlled organization
• Proof of Aboriginality
• Demonstration and/or evidence of leadership ability.

ACADEMIC

• Evidence of academic merit (unofficial JCU academic transcript is sufficient)
• Reference from/ contact details of SNMN academic
• Demonstrated and/or evidence of commitment to nursing and midwifery studies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Enquiries to:  SNMN, telephone (07) 4781 4261.

Free Mental Health First Aid Courses for JCU Nursing & Midwifery Students 2014

These tailored courses teach nursing and midwifery students how to assist their peers when they are experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem.

This initiative is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing until June 2014.

What is Mental Health First Aid?
Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

What is the Mental Health First Aid for Nursing Students Courses?
The free courses for nursing and midwifery students are tailored versions of the 12-hour 3rd edition Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course (launched in 2013). The content of the course is derived from a number of consensus studies incorporating the expertise of hundreds of researchers, clinicians, mental health consumer advocates and carer advocates across the English speaking western world. This has been supplemented with materials tailored for medical and nursing students developed under the guidance of two expert working groups. Places are strictly limited. This is one off funding so students need to select a course and email jenny.kelly@jcu.edu.au to reserve their place. See course dates/times below.

Course Content
The MHFA for medical and nursing students courses teach medical and nursing students how to assist a peer who is developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis, using case-studies, videos and resources tailored to their learning needs. The mental health first aid skills learnt can be applied to help any adult.

Who is This Training For?
Any interested JCU nursing/midwifery student can attend these courses for free until June 2014. The focus of training is on how students can help their fellow peers, rather than preparing them to help their future patients. Please note this is an education course, not a therapy or support group.

There is a free e-course available for students unable to attend the face-to-face course. For information see https://www.mhfa.com.au/cms/mhfa-medical-and-nursing-students/

2014 Dates:

JCU TOWNSVILLE
Townsville Room 025-005
1 & 2 March 0830-1630
15 & 16 March 0830-1630
24 & 25 May 0830-1630

JCU CAIRNS
Cairns  Room B1.031
15 & 16 Feb 0830-1630
29 & 30 March 0830-1630
10 & 11 May  0830-1630

How to Register
Preference will be given to students who are currently on the waiting list.  To register, students must email jenny.kelly@jcu.edu.au advising which year level they are currently enrolled in and which site and dates they wish to attend. It is a two day course and runs from 0830–1630 each day. Students must attend both days and need to bring their own lunch. Be quick as these courses book out!

For further information contact jenny.kelly@jcu.edu.au