Nursing (1 Viewer)

[machine169]

Preparing UNE nursing graduates for a professional career

A two-day workshop within The University of New England’s School of Health called “Preparation for Professional Practice” has primed nursing students for their chosen career.
A guest speaker at the workshop, Emma Gibson, is a UNE nursing graduate and recently spent six months nursing in Kenya. She told the captivated third-year Bachelor of Nursing students about her experiences working as a nurse overseas.
“It was nursing but it was also a big adventure. Next I’m going to work in the UK, which is almost more daunting because of the cold,” Dr Gibson said.
“It's great to have an alumna return to UNE and demonstrate to students about to embark upon their nursing careers the exciting opportunities open to them,” said the Nursing Program Coordinator, Dr Glenda Parmenter.
Hospitals and Area Health Services around NSW are already preparing to recruit next year’s Bachelor of Nursing graduates from The University of New England.
Thirteen health care organisations from between (and including) Sydney and Brisbane were represented at a recruitment display in UNE’s School of Health during the workshop. Some of the organisations also sent representatives to talk to the final-year nursing students about employment opportunities.
“UNE graduates are often successful in securing highly-sought-after nursing positions both in Australia and abroad,” Dr Parmenter said. “The number of organisations represented was indicative of our graduates’ excellent reputation throughout the industry.”
“This annual workshop provides the students with skills and information they will need during their transition from the university environment to the nursing workplace,” she said.
The workshop was attended by 78 final-year students and included sessions on: career pathways, job applications and interviews. A simplified procedure that allows a single application/interview to be considered by up to 10 hospitals was also described.
Representatives of the Nurses’ Registration Board, the Royal College of Nursing and the NSW Nurses’ Association also attended the workshop.
Media contact: Dr Glenda Parmenter, School of Health, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3683 or John Kauter, Public Relations Manager, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 2779. A photograph is available to accompany this story.
Posted by Gary Fry on www.une.edu.au

 

[machine169]

Nursing: a career with heart

September 29, 2006

A shortage of qualified nurses both Australia-wide and internationally means that career options – and benefits to be gained – in the nursing industry are greater than ever before.

“Starting salaries for nurses are among the highest across all university graduates,” said Dr Glenda Parmenter from the University of New England’s School of Nursing. “First-year nurses can expect to earn up to $811 a week, with further pay from shift penalties. Imagine earning up to $1,000 a week in your first year out of university!”
Dr Parmenter said that many nurses branched out from their chosen profession, and that the choices were “simply huge”. “Management, consultancy, teaching, community involvement, education, palliative care, and even your own firm: these are only a few of the paths,” she said. “The stereotype era is over.”

“As a nurse, you are a national priority,” she continued. “Put simply, this means that you can find stable employment anywhere across the nation – any State, anywhere you choose. In addition to this, nurses are needed everywhere around the world, giving you the exciting option of travel and overseas work. Australian nurses are recognised internationally.
“Studying to be a nurse can be a lot of work. But more importantly, it is achievable. The courses are structured to integrate the difficult aspects of nursing into the learning. Your teachers are highly skilled professionals themselves. They take a genuine interest in your study and development. Support and help is never far away.

“Of course, as in all industries, there is a level of stress and nursing can be intense. But what must be remembered is that, as a nurse, you are part of a team – one of the most important and highly trained teams anyone could find. You work together as a unit, face challenges together, and learn together.”

“The UNE Bachelor of Nursing is one of the best in the State,” Dr Parmenter said, “with the biggest practical element of any university course – 35 weeks. The industry recognises this and, consequently, regards UNE graduates of one some of the best nurses around – nurses that are industry ready.”

Nathan Kemister of UNE says that nursing is the best choice he’s ever made.

“As a nurse, I am a respected professional who can really make a difference to the community, yet the skills I learn can also be valuable in everyday situations” he said.

“Most importantly to me, I am choosing a career path that is valued by society. It’s a privilege to have a career that gives me employment, a good starting salary and valuable skills – but most importantly, a respected job.”