I am a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Nursing program and active participant in the recent NSWNMA campaign ‘End Placement Poverty’, which resulted in the government’s introduction of the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) for nursing and midwifery, teaching and social work students.

We had over 8000 students sign the NSWNMA petition to end placement poverty.

I wanted to share my thoughts now that eligible students can apply.

The CPP, providing $331.65 per week to eligible students on clinical placements, is a direct response to campaign pressure from students and union members demanding fair recognition of the burdensome costs associated with undertaking unpaid placement for weeks at a time.

All nursing and midwifery students on placement work full-time hours without pay, often traveling long distances, paying out of pocket for transport, parking, accommodation, uniforms, and more. Many have no choice but to reduce paid work or forego it entirely. This immense financial pressure is driving capable, passionate students out of the profession before they even graduate.

In a profession that has seen a mass exodus of skilled professionals in recent years, it is crucial we retain the students we recruit.

Angelique Dumas, New Grad, Sutherland Hospital