TAFE Queensland is breaking new ground by offering its first-ever Bachelor of Nursing, a qualification equivalent to a university degree.
This comes at an opportune time, as Jobs Queensland predicts a 14.5 per cent increase in employment opportunities for Registered Nurses (RNs) across the state, translating to over 10,000 new jobs by 2026.
Karen Dickinson, General Manager of TAFE Queensland on the Gold Coast, emphasised the significance of this development.
“Our Bachelor of Nursing will provide more higher education pathways than ever before for aspiring RNs and offer a seamless career pathway for eligible Diploma of Nursing graduates,” she said.
The flexible delivery of the program is designed to benefit many TAFE Queensland nursing graduates who are already working as Enrolled Nurses (ENs), allowing them to continue earning while they advance their education.
Eligible Diploma of Nursing graduates will receive one year of credit, enabling them to enter the second year of the degree at the South Bank campus in Brisbane or the Southport campus on the Gold Coast.
Among the first students to enrol in the program is 25-year-old Jade Anderson, who is enthusiastic about the opportunities the Bachelor of Nursing will open up.
“I have built a solid career foundation by completing the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland and have a job as an EN at Gold Coast University Hospital where I will work while I complete the bachelor degree,” Anderson said.
“I’m a big believer in going through a diploma first, having a really comprehensive understanding, getting a job as an EN, and then going onto further study to become an RN.”
The Bachelor of Nursing at TAFE Queensland is designed by experienced nurses and focuses on providing future-oriented, hands-on, and community-centered learning experiences.
Deb Blow, Director of Faculty (Health and Nursing) on the Gold Coast, spoke about the program’s comprehensive curriculum.
“A Bachelor of Nursing serves as the foundational requirement to practice as a RN in Australia, however, our Bachelor goes the extra mile in nurturing well-rounded, empathetic healthcare professionals equipped to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their communities,” she said.
The program offers flexible study options, including online learning and access to state-of-the-art clinical labs at both the South Bank and Southport campuses.
It is accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and is approved and registered by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
With its new Bachelor of Nursing, TAFE Queensland is set to provide more pathways and opportunities for aspiring nurses, meeting the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in the state.
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