General News
15 September, 2022
Free nursing, midwife courses to benefit locals and health service
Central Goldfields Shire residents considering undertaking a nursing or midwifery degree next year will be able to do so for free, with the State Government announcing free courses and specialist training to help alleviate some of the pressures...
Central Goldfields Shire residents considering undertaking a nursing or midwifery degree next year will be able to do so for free, with the State Government announcing free courses and specialist training to help alleviate some of the pressures being felt by the Victorian health system — including locally.
The free training will see more than 10,000 students have the cost of their nursing or midwifery undergraduate studies paid for, while scholarships will be available for thousands more who complete postgraduate studies in areas of need including intensive care, cancer care, paediatrics and nurse practitioner specialities.
The announcement is particularly timely as works are currently underway on the Maryborough District Health Service’s (MDHS) new student accommodation building, and the $100 million hospital redevelopment will soon get underway.
MDHS CEO Nickola Allan said the funded courses are welcomed and that she hopes the local health service can utilise it to bring more training locally.
“The nursing sector has been doing it tough over the past few years and we need a strong plan in place to help relieve the pressure in the acute and aged care settings,” she said.
“We welcome the Victorian Government’s plan to help create better access to undergraduate and postgraduate education to help boost the number of nurses and midwives and enhance training opportunities to develop a highly capable work-force.
“We are keen to further explore how we can use this funding to work with partners to expand the number of local training places, and support staff to undertake professional development opportunities as we further develop our workforce plan.
“MDHS certainly has a lot to offer new and returning nurses and midwives with a new $100 million hospital on the way, a great values-based team, and the chance to be part of a strong, vibrant and connected community in the beautiful Central Goldfields.”
According to the State Government, all new domestic students enrolling in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery course in 2023 and 2024 will receive a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover course costs.
Students will receive $9000 while they study and the remaining $7500 if they work in Victorian public health services for two years.
“If you’re in year 12 and you’ve been thinking about studying nursing or midwifery — go for it. We’ve got your HECS fees covered,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“Every health system in the country is under enormous pressure due to the pandemic. The best thing we can do to support our hard-working staff is give them more support on the ground — that’s why this package will train and hire more nurses than ever before.”