That was a sentiment shared by the Australian College of Nursing’s national director of professional practice,Linda Davidson,who welcomed the $5000 payment for new nurses,but warned “it doesn’t help the nurses already in the system who have been through a horrific couple of years”.
Instead,Davidson said the governments should be focusing on support and professional development for nurses already in the system.
The extent of the nurse shortage in Victoria is difficult to quantify. Many remain on the books,but have cut back their hours dramaticallybecause of burnout from the pandemic.Others have left the hospital system altogether and are working in other parts of the health sector.
Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said the proposed ratios would allow more workers to take up flexible hours and address major concerns such as the number of midwives working overnight.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was asked on Wednesday if he would match the government’s commitments,and said the Coalition had its own plan to fix the healthcare system and staff shortages.
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“We’ve got our own health commitments,our commitments are clear,the commitments that are achievable,they are affordable,” Guy said.
“The government is making health announcements two weeks before a state election. They’ve had eight years to do all these things.”
Deakin University has received the highest number of nursing applications with 8217,followed by Monash with 5177,La Trobe with 5025 and the Australian Catholic University with 4490.
The figures are comparable to last year’s applications data at this time of the year,which indicates that although nursing remains one of the most popular fields of study,the offer of a free degree has not yet triggered a spike in interest.
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In August,the Andrews government promised to subsidise the HECS debt of more than 10,000 nursing and midwifery students. The pledge,limited to new domestic students,was to pay students $9000 while studying and a further $7500 if they work in Victorian public health services for two years.
Fees for nursing had already been cut by 45 per cent last year in an effort to attract more school-leavers into nursing,to a maximum student contribution of $3985 a year.
Universities cannot simply increase the number of nursing places they offer in response to demand,but must demonstrate to the Australian Nursing&Midwifery Board that enrolled students will be able to complete mandatory work placements as part of their studies.
Last year,the board introduced an exemption to the rule for students who could not complete their full allotment of placement hours due to COVID-19. The exemption is due for review at the end of 2022.
La Trobe University had recorded a 4 per cent increase in nursing applications at its Melbourne campus and a 12 per cent increase at regional campuses.
“This is the second highest demand for nursing courses via VTAC for nursing since 2015,” a university spokesperson said.
“We welcome any initiative to increase interest in nursing and each year the university seeks to enrol students up to its accredited capacity.”
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