University nursing programs

[kaitmaree]

Hi there!

Forgive me if I make a mistake. I am very new to these forums and slightly anxious to be posting but I feel it will be worthwhile! I am currently in year twelve (graduating in '11) in NSW and am considering nursing as a potential career path. I have always had a fascination with science and medicine and found myself to be good at caring for and to others, the career of nursing has always intrigued me.

Now, here is where I am a bit baffled. In terms of nursing programs, my options would mostly be UWS (closest to home), UTS, or UOW if I chose to go to school away from home. Have any of you attended nursing programs at these schools? If so, what are their programs like, both clinical and theory?

I intend on going to open days and contacting the universities themselves, however I wanted to ask those who know best - the students of their programs, and the graduates.

Also, I am a little concerned about my subject choices. I am only doing general math and no sciences, but lots of English, history and a language. I am wondering how disadvantaged I will be in university? I have always done well in Science in my junior years, and sort of regret not picking it up for HSC - but it is too late now.

Any advice and stories you might have of your own nursing education and career would be great. Thank you in advance. :)

[talaxandra]

Hi kaitmaree,

this isn't at all my area so I can't help you with deciding on an institution, sadly. I'd talk with each of them about pre-req's because I suspect not having HSC science may be a problem, though certainly not unsolvable.

Mostly, though, I wanted to welcome you to the allnurses family and to the larger body of nursing :) And your post was absolutely fine.

Good luck!

[kaitmaree]

Thank you for your welcome and advice, talaxandra. In terms of the sciences, none of our universities I am looking at have it as a requirement, I am just concerned that I might struggle with the workload not having a senior level of high school science in my backround.

[ceridwyn]

I would not worry about the science, you will find all levels of people with science knowledge....mature age that may have never studied science, others that have studied up to the level you have....anyway if you do not understand something the internet is always there to check it out.

General Maths is always a good thing to know a bit about as well, percentages, fractions. though I have got through with not really a good knowledge as orders and calculators are always on hand....mobile phones remember.

as for choice of uni. I know it is getting tougher for grad years, but I still do not think nursing has gone like law, and where you have studied is depended on whether you get a job or not. No-one has ever asked me about my nursing degree or how well I got it....it just sits there on my cv, as long as you have nursing registration thats your main goal, along the way if you can make friends with the clinical mentors and get to know the one that will be the graduate nurse co-ordinator....networking....they get to know you ....at your clinical placements...this is the biggest help when applying for a graduate year. Just get in and get to know everybody..and get good references.

as where to go....maybe think about where you would like to work, what university actually feeds many of their students to that hospital,

It might be easier to go to your local uni. I know UWS goes just about anywhere.....I met a student at the Bega hospital once.

Good luck from me also.

[kaitmaree]

Thank you for your luck and very helpful advice, ceridwyn. :)

[joannep]

All degrees lead to registration. Study close to home, travelling is boring and expensive and living away from home really expensive!

[kaitmaree]

Thank you, joannep!

[talaxandra]

I'm pleased to hear that sciences aren't pre-req's :) And most of the maths you'll need is relatively straightforward.

ceridwyn and joannep are right - I've never heard of anyone making a hire/fire/promote decision based on where are nurse was educated, and (unlike in the US) they're all accredited and cover the same basic curricula. So factor in proximity (like joannep suggested), but also look at contact hours, clinical hours and teaching style, to fit in with a study/life balance, undergraduate experience and the way/s you learn best. You might also be interested in looking at the Good Uni Guide, where (I think for a fee) you can check out reviews and comments on different programs and institutions.

Good luck!