Jillian Skinner med rel: Scholarships open for Diploma of Enrolled Nursing

Health Minister Jillian Skinner is encouraging school leavers or anyone interested in a career change to take advantage of close to 300 scholarships offered by the NSW Government for the 2015 Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) program.

The program will see students training at metropolitan and rural TAFE NSW Colleges as well as the NSW Health Registered Training Organisation at Rozelle and Liverpool with clinical experiences in the NSW Health system.

Mrs Skinner said enrolled nurses are a vital component of the NSW health system.

“Enrolled nurses undertake incredible work caring for patients when they are often most at need in acute hospital wards, aged care facilities, operating theatres, paediatrics or mental health units in the city or rural and remote health services,” Mrs Skinner said.

“A special program for students interested in mental health nursing will also be available in 2015 as part of the 2015 Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) course.

“This will provide students with opportunities for elective subjects and clinical placements in areas of mental health with a view to be employed in this specialty area following graduation.

“I strongly recommend anyone who has an interest in a rewarding career with the essential skills to provide highly-skilled, compassionate and caring nursing to apply for these scholarships.

“Importantly, there will be an offer of a job at a NSW public hospital for suitable students upon successful completion of the course and relevant employment processes.

“I am delighted that these scholarships will cover the student fees for the Diploma of Enrolled Nursing qualification for almost 300 students.”

Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli said TAFE NSW will have 198 scholarships available at TAFE NSW campuses across NSW.

“More than 1,989 students are currently enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) at TAFE NSW, which is testament to the high quality of specialist training that TAFE delivers across the State,” Mr Piccoli said.

“I’m pleased the government has made these scholarships available in an area of importance to the community. It will help those students looking to get into the healthcare field as well as those who are looking for a career change.”

Mum of two and enrolled nurse graduate on the Trauma and Head and Neck ward at John Hunter Hospital Melanie Albert said receiving the 2014 Scholarship enabled her to pursue a career in an industry she is very proud of and passionate about.

“I applied to study nursing at University when I left school in 1992 but decided I didn’t want to commit to another three years of study coming straight out of school. I started working full-time in the finance sector and returning to full-time study was no longer an option and it remained that way until two years ago,” Ms Albert said.

“My partner came across the advertisement for the NSW Ministry of Health Enrolled Nurse Scholarships and I applied. I was so happy as I progressed through each step of the application process, especially as I didn’t have any previous experience in the industry.

“The scholarship helped cover the cost of my course tuition and other related expenses such as text books which made a great difference to us financially.

“I gained casual employment at the end of my first placement which meant that I was able to work, study and practise some of the skills that I was learning in class.

“I encourage anyone who like me has aspired to become a nurse and make a real difference to people’s lives, to consider applying for this fantastic scholarship.”

Scholarship applications are now open and close on 4 February 2015.

Applications are invited from HSC school leavers, mature age applicants or those who have already completed a Certificate III or equivalent qualification.

Selection for the scholarship involves a written application, a basic literacy and numeracy test and interview.

Successful scholarship applicants will commence the TAFE course from April 2015 and the course runs for between 12 and 18 months.

Following successful completion of the program and gaining registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, scholarship recipients will be interviewed for employment in the NSW public health system. Interviews for positions will occur toward the end of the program.