which nursing program? UQ/Griffith/Umel/Monash

[catiew]

Hi.

I am 25 years old. and want to become a registered nurse.

I hold a bachelor degree. so I am looking for a graduate entry degree in nursing.

There are four programs that I am interested in.

UQ--Master with 1.5 years including summer semester. more than 1000 hours clinical placement

I like the study pattern there. two days classroom study + 3 days clinical placement

Griffith--1.5 years with two summer semesters. not sure about the clinical placement..

it is a bachelor degree-- i heard in Australia, Bachelor degree gives advantage in looking for jobs.

U Mel-- Master with 2 years study including a summer semester. about 50% or 800 hours clinical placement.

I like the study pattern with 2 days classroom two days clinical

Uni Monash-- master degree with 1.5 years study including one summer semester. about 50% clinical placement.

Similar study patterns to UQ/ U Mel

I am not sure which one to go..

I know there are more jobs in QLD for new grads.. but the UMel's course structure seems better --- more courses (I assume with more courses I will get more knowledges and better international recogonition)

I am looking for a program that gives me better practical skills and employment opportunities.. as well as international recognition... and of course I want to graduate as early as possible..

is any one have recommendations about which program to go??

Thanks

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

it doesn't really matter what course you have done to become a nurse as once you are registered it is irrelevent in Aust and the UK and Ireland as it is your registration clinical experience and references that will get you a job.

Look for the course with the most clinical hours in acute areas. Ensure that you have clinical educators in the hospitals that you will be sent to and expect to have to do a lot of basic anatomy study when you are preparing to go to the wards.

Be willing to learn from people younger than you and be willing to get involved with your patients and you will be fine. (got burned a bit with my last student!)

If you are really keen get a job as a carer in a nursing home or volunteer in your local ED

[catiew]

Thanks very much.

I am so stupid to miss out the july intake this year.. I am going to call them to see if i can still catch the july course..

I am looking to work in ER, acute care.. hope i am not the oldest student in the class. I have exerience in pharmacy as an assistant pharmacist and a degree in pharmaceutical science.. i hope this can help me with my future work.

thanks for your advise

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

I very much doubt that you will be the oldest in your class! In my intake in Ireland we had a woman who turned 50 during our 4 year undergrad program see was fulfilling a life long dream.

Pharm prob will help you out a bit for sure! after you qualify most hospitals offer a year long grad program to assist the new nurse in transitioning into a skilled clinician. Most don't offer "acute care" by this I mean CCU / ICU but do give rotations through anaesthetic and recovery and ED. You will also be exposed to general acute medical and surgical wards where most GN are for part of their year and learn about time management, how to piece together all the theory you have learned and how to care for your pt be it to a full recovery, to the best of their ability or to a peaceful death.

[catiew]

I very much doubt that you will be the oldest in your class! In my intake in Ireland we had a woman who turned 50 during our 4 year undergrad program see was fulfilling a life long dream.

Pharm prob will help you out a bit for sure! after you qualify most hospitals offer a year long grad program to assist the new nurse in transitioning into a skilled clinician. Most don't offer "acute care" by this I mean CCU / ICU but do give rotations through anaesthetic and recovery and ED. You will also be exposed to general acute medical and surgical wards where most GN are for part of their year and learn about time management, how to piece together all the theory you have learned and how to care for your pt be it to a full recovery, to the best of their ability or to a peaceful death.

Thanks:)

hope I can get into the july program and become a nurse before I am 27.:nurse:

[ozViking]

If you're only in your mid twenties you'll be more likely to be one of the youngest in your grad entry program. I'm a grad entry student at Griffith, I turn 30 this year and we have plenty of students in their 40s and 50s. There are also many EENs doing their RN qualification, many of them are older too. Among the 'normal' undergrads there are of course many younger ones.

I'm very pleased with Griffith thus far, but I would have liked more clinicals. At least as a grad entry student you skip the first year where you only get to do one week placement, in aged care... We do progressively more placements each semester - if you do the accelerated option you do eight weeks full time in semester 1 year 3 (year 2 as a grad entry). This semester (sem 1 year 2) we've only done 2 weeks full time though - I would have liked to see more. Lots of clinical work in labs though which I guess makes up for some of it.

Good luck with it, hope you are able to make it in by July!

oh and by the way if you do the grad entry accelerated option at Griffith you are able to get your RNs in 18 months, so same as UQ. Also keep in mind the UQ program is in Ipswich I believe, while Griffith has campuses both in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

[catiew]

Thanks for your help..

I've been told that all places were filled for july intake.. Because it's a commonwealth supported courses so lots of applicants.. maybe its easier to get in as an international student..

I will apply for Feb intake next year as soon as possible to secure a place.. probably UQ. or griffith Gold Coast..

Thanks for the informations..

[Doza]

how is one clinical placement different from another? are there good or bad placements? thanks to anyone who replies!