Two new developments in the nursing field

Dec 21, 2004

*1st year nursing comes to Bega

The University of Wollongong has conducted the Bachelor of Nursing course at the Bega Education Centre for enrolled nurses who have completed a bridging course for entry into Year 2 of the degree since 2003.

However, due to high demand from high school students and mature age applicants, UOW will now offer Year 1 of the degree at Bega, starting in 2005.

Suzanne Punton Butler, who oversees the program at Bega, said that the student feedback about the degree has been positive.

"Offering the first year of the degree at Bega will attract a variety of students. The course is known for its excellent graduate outcomes, with all the graduating students this year securing employment in the field -- and often their first employment choice. One student also graduated on the Dean's Merit List," she said.

For further information contact: The Acting Dean of Health and Behavioural Sciences and the Head of the Department of Nursing, Professor Patrick Crookes, on (02) 4221 3123.

*UOW to introduce first NSW Practice Nursing course

The University of Wollongong is to introduce the first postgraduate Practice Nursing course in NSW.

The 12-month course will be for registered nurses who wish to work in general practices rather than hospitals.

The course, approved at this stage to operate from UOW's main campus, will begin from first semester 2005. It is open to any registered nurse in Australia.

The Head of the new postgraduate course, Ms Yvonne White, a Lecturer in UOW's Department of Nursing, said she was hoping initially to fill at least 20 places.The course will be run in association with the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Divisions of General Practice.

Ms White said the course would appeal to nurses interested in community-based care and those wanting to work closely with GPs in promoting healthy living standards.

"The course will complement well with the Graduate School of Medicine starting up at UOW from 2007", Ms White said.

For further information or to enrol in the course contact Yvonne White on (02) 4221 3337 or via her email at white@uow.edu.au

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128