July 4, 2020

Students

Fed Govt to reduce course costs for nursing degrees

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The Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan, has announced substantial changes to the structure of university fees, which will make nursing courses more affordable for students.

In a speech at the National Press Club, the minister has flagged reducing course costs for nursing degrees to $3,700 per year for a full time student, a reduction of approximately 46% from current costs.

The fee reduction is aimed at enticing more students to choose nursing as a course and career option, particularly as demand for nursing staff increases.

The Government has also announced that an extra 39,000 university places will be funded by 2023.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has welcomed the move in regards to nursing students, calling it a “positive opportunity for some students”.

“Being a student should not be a debt sentence”, said NUS National President Molly Willmott.

The move has not yet been backed with funding for new nursing positions from state and federal governments.

Nursing and midwifery students can join the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association FOR FREE. Be part of your professional association here. 

Worried about attending clinical placement during COVID -19?

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Restrictions are slowly easing, but for those in healthcare, the presence and stresses of COVID-19 remains at the forefront of our minds. For students about to embark on clinical placement, it is only natural to feel some apprehension about what lies ahead. The Lamp spoke to some of the many amazing nurses and midwives who have been supervising students during COVID to find out what advice they would give students about to attend clinical placement.

Prepare yourself

Ensure that you have a good understanding of the current restrictions and advice from NSW Health. Once you are on placement, take time to familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures of the facility where you are undertaking placement. Brush up on appropriate PPE as well as donning and doffing techniques to keep yourself and the patients in your service safe. It’s very important to ask as  many questions as possible; the situation with COVID is changing frequently and you will gain the most, and be of most value, if you are up to date and communicating well with your supervising RN.

Know what to expect

Staff are currently being screened – this involves temperature checking and being asked a series of questions upon entering facilities. This is usually followed by ward safety huddles run by the NUM. During this, COVID is discussed, any changes will be communicated, and staff have an opportunity to ask questions. Each facility may be slightly different but it’s important that you contribute by understanding and adhering to the policies of your facility.

Practice Self Care

Look after yourself – self-care is a priority now more than ever. Make sure you schedule time out, away from the stressors of a busy schedule of shift work. A healthy diet, exercise and maintaining good sleep habits helps manage stress. Remind yourself that this pandemic is constantly changing and that you need to flexible and open to change. Remember that you are still learning and that you need to focus on what those learning priorities are during your placement. Ensure that you are update to date with all of your university work, engage with the team on the ward and talk with the nurses or midwives about any concerns you have.

Communicate and reach out if you need support

Speak up if you have concerns and reflect with a mentor, facilitator, team leader or someone who you feel comfortable with. Opportunities to debrief are so important, not only as a student but as ongoing practice throughout your career.

Finally, be open to learning new things and always be proactive – that’s the best way to support your supervising nurse or midwife. If you have concerns, talk about it and ask lots of questions. Remember, we are all in this together! 

Nursing and midwifery students can access support from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. Undergraduate students can join for free here.

7 key things for a killer New Grad CV

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We know that the infamous CV – or curriculum vitae – can be a daunting thing for many students applying for new graduate positions. Jo Purdue from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association’s Professional Team shares her top seven tips for making a killer CV.

Remember, you can join the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association for free as an undergraduate student.

1. Make sure your CV is current and up to date

Your CV forms the backbone of your new graduate application. Make sure the details that you include in it are current. That means double checking your email address and phone numbers, updating your qualifications, and putting in your most recent pracs. There’s nothing worse than the recruiters calling the wrong number to let you know you’ve gotten an interview!

2. Keep it concise

A rambling CV is a headache for recruiters and interviewers alike – and they might not look at it if it’s  too long! The document should be between two to three pages in length, and outline the most important points of your educational and professional experience.

3. Layout matters

Make sure your CV is easy to read for the assessors and interviewers. You want them to find the information they are looking for as quickly as possible.

Our recommended structure is as follows:

  • Professional Information
  • Qualifications
  • Current employment
  • Past employment
  • Professional development and goals
  • Key education

4. Be professional

Starting your professional career is probably a great time to ditch that email address you created in Year 8. It’s probably not the best look having the new graduate coordinator email saucepan69@hotmail.com! Make sure your details are appropriate and show you in a good light.

Similarly, please make sure that your grammar, spelling and punctuation is correct. This shows attention to detail and proves that you are serious about the role you are applying for.

5. Don’t include your picture

Definitely don’t include a photo – recent, professional or otherwise. The same goes with your date of birth, marital status, age, religion, nationality or cultural background.

6. Update your referees

Referees are an essential part of your application process. Make sure you provide their name, title, email address and phone number. In choosing your referees, stick to professional or educational referees. Former managers, educators at your placements and university lecturers are all good options. If they ask you for two referees provide three.  Then if for some reason they have trouble contacting the first two they have an alternative contact.

On your referees’ side, ask and update your referees with every new application. Provide them with a copy of each job description and your resume. Also ask them what they’d say, and if they would have any reservations recommending you for the role.

7. Send it through as a PDF

A word document is ok, but a PDF which cannot be altered would be a better choice when it comes to sending through your CV. Don’t submit it as a Google Doc or through a link, as not all interviewers will be able to view or download it.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association student members can get more assistance from our Professional Team regarding the new graduate application process. You can join FOR FREE here.

 

Nursing and Midwifery Student information for COVID-19

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The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association is providing support and advice to any members seeking information regarding student related issues concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Students undertaking accredited nursing & midwifery programs are being directly impacted, including clinical placements, course progressions and calls to mobilise as participants in the health workforce.

Both students, and members who are engaged in the supervision of students on clinical placements, are encouraged to contact the NSWNMA should you have issues or concerns during this time.

Members are encouraged to login to Member Central to access Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 related issues. If you are not yet a member – Students of nursing & midwifery can join here for FREE.

If your issues can’t be found in Member Central, please contact us here.

Update on Clinical Placements from the Ministry of Health (NSW)

The NSWNMA continues to advocate for students and members as to the safe continuation of Clinical Placements during COVID-19. The Ministry of Health NSW has (re)confirmed to the NSWNMA, its commitment for the continuation of clinical placements for students at this time, especially for third year nursing and midwifery students, so as not to disrupt the growth of the health workforce in 2021; and that students will continue to be placed in work locations based on a risk assessment approach and it will not be adopting any alternative that includes prescribed ‘no go zones’.

In summary, the Ministry will continue to apply the direction provided to public health organisations in March 2020, in that: “The usual risk assessment processes around student placements continue to apply.  If your public health unit determines there are significant risks with students commencing on certain placements or in specific areas, it may be possible to accommodate students in alternative settings …”

Clinical placement locations be will allocated on a risk assessment basis to ensure the safety of both patients and students.

Factsheets

The Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) have released fact sheets relating to:

  • Employment of Students enrolled in NMBA approved nursing programs of study
  • COVID-19 Education and program accreditation matters

Safety Matters for students

How do I protect myself at work or on placement?

Influenza Vaccine for students attending clinical placements

Mandatory influenza vaccinations normally apply to those attending clinical placements in high risk areas – here is the latest advice on required vaccinations while on clinical placement.

Self-Care & clinical placement during COVID-19

For students attending clinical placements, here’s how to get the most out of your clinical placement and resources for looking after yourself in these challenging times.

Additional Training for COVID-19

The Department of Health has developed a free 30-minute online education course for workers in the aged care, health and disability sectors. This may be useful for students to complete prior to clinical placements;

After completing the course, course participants should be able to:

  • understand the basics about the COVID-19 virus, including how it is spread,
  • describe what you can do to protect yourself and others,
  • know what to do if you develop symptoms,
  • know what to do if the person you are caring for develops symptoms,
  • tell the difference between myths and facts of COVID-19.

Register to participate in the training here.

Useful Resources

NSW Health is continuing to provide comprehensive information, fact sheets and updates about COVID-19 here.

Student FAQs

We’ve answered your most frequently asked questions during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Interview with a Nursing Student: Clinical Placement in COVID-19 Times

The NSWNMA will continue to provide further updates for students and members as we receive them. Make sure you login to NSWNMA Member Central to see our members only FAQs here.

Factsheets for nursing and midwifery students: from the NMBA and ANMAC

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The Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) have released fact sheets with important information for nursing and midwifery students.

Employment of Students enrolled in NMBA approved nursing programs of study

Background

The Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is the national regulatory body for nurses and midwives. The fact sheet is written for application Australia wide however, each state health system has in place varying provisions for the employment of students in AIN, AIM or ‘Student Nurse’ Roles.

Discussion

The purpose of the fact sheet is to define the role of the ‘Student Nurse’ as distinctly opposed to an undergraduate nursing or midwifery student who is employed as an AIN or AIM.

In NSW we do not generally have ‘Student Nurse’ roles. NSW Health does employ undergraduate students from their second year of study onwards, as well as those with vocational qualifications, as AINs or AIMs.

In the private sector in NSW, undergraduate students may also be employed in AIN/AIM or Personal Care Worker (PCW) roles.

Students in NSW wishing to contribute to the workforce during the COVID-19 crisis may apply through their local health district or private employers to do so.

The employment of students as AIN, AIM or PCW’s is independent from their nursing & midwifery studies. The scope of practice within these positions is limited in comparison to the scope of practice required to safely meet the NMBA Standards for Practice required for registration. Any hours worked under these employment arrangements would therefore not meet the requirements of clinical placements due to the limited scope of these roles.

COVID-19 Education and program accreditation matters

Background

The NMBA and the ANMAC are the bodies responsible for the regulation of the nursing and midwifery professions and the accreditation of nursing and midwifery education.

The NMBA and ANMAC recognise the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on nursing and midwifery students. Below we have highlighted important information from the fact sheet.

Can education providers extend the length of an ANMAC accredited and NMBA-approved program of study?

The NMBA and ANMAC understand that the ongoing and changing situation surrounding COVID-19 may mean that students are not able to attend classes or clinical placements and that extensions to the length of programs to enable students time to complete may be required. The NMBA and ANMAC will provide further information on this soon.

What is happening with clinical placements?

Where possible, clinical placements should continue, preference should be given to students in the final year of their program to ensure that the program requirements and the relevant NMBA standards for practice can be met for registration.

Discussion

The NSWNMA continues to seek further guidance from relevant stakeholders, and to advocate for students. We are also discussing the implications of student placements with members who are responsible for supervision of students on clinical placements.

Through consultation with key stakeholders it is noted that;

Aged care placements are currently unavailable due to current government restrictions that identify that placements in aged care facilities may compromise high risk populations.

Students should continue to attend clinical placements where possible unless they themselves are at risk or vulnerable to illness (such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, pregnancy).

It is likely not appropriate for students to be placed in high acuity settings with patients that are very ill with, or at high risk of COVID-19; such as ICU, ED, Critical Care, Oncology, Geriatric or Respiratory wards (COVID-19 wards and clinics) and Aged Care Facilities (as recommended by the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery). This is supported by recent statements made by the Australian Governments Chief of Nursing & Midwifery Officer, Alison McMillan as well as being the position of the NSWNMA in ongoing communication to the NSW Ministry of Health.

Individual Local Health Districts (LHD) determine whether students may attend their facilities for clinical placements.

The NSWNMA will continue to advocate for members and students of the profession and will provide updates here as they are available.

FAQ

Why are student placements being cancelled?

The fact sheet published by ANMAC and NMBA states that clinical placements should continue where possible, however some placements may be cancelled due to the following reasons;

  • Staff shortages which will impact supervision capacity,
  • The acuity of the patients being inappropriate for student placements,
  • Pressure on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability,
  • Responsible and effective use of resources and the potential for wastage,
  • Risk of increased exposure for patients and critical staff.

In all cases the decision whether to offer student placements, or not, will be taken by all stakeholders with careful and balanced consideration of all relevant factors.

If I feel that my supervising RN or midwife is unable to safely accommodate the supervision required of my placement – What should I do?

To discuss your concerns, speak to your clinical facilitator and contact your education provider’s clinical office, who will then be able to escalate these concerns through the appropriate channels. If your supervising RN or midwife expresses such concerns, encourage them to escalate via the ward NUM or the facilities normal process of escalation. Be mindful that during these challenging times, your supervisor’s primary responsibility and concern is the safety of their patients, themselves as well as the students they are supervising.

What should I do if I am on professional experience placement and there isn’t enough PPE to allow me to engage in the care of patients?

Your facility is responsible for providing appropriate PPE based on the clinical needs of each area. If you cannot access the appropriate PPE, then you should not engage in the care of a patient until it becomes available and you should escalate this to the facility via your RN or midwife and to your education provider via your clinical facilitator.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association is providing support and advice to students concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). You can see the homepage for Nursing and Midwifery Student information for COVID-19 here.

Safety advice for nursing and midwifery students at work or on placement

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NSWNMA members can login to view our FAQ on topics including: