Mature Students - Nursing
 

We arrived on the Sunshine Coast in January.

I have been looking at ways to start a career in Nursing and from what I have read, I think I need a degree in Nursing to start. I would have to study part-time so I think I may be looking at about 6 years. Could anyone tell me if this is correct?
I already have a degree but that is in Accountancy and Finance.

I am 42 years of age and am just wondering if there are grants/scholarships available for mature students to help reduce course costs?

Has any one on the Forum, around my age, trained to be a nurse?

Could anyone give me a few pointers on where to start? i.e general information, websites, which colleges on or near the Sunshine Coast would be suitable, etc.

Thanks

Jo
:thumbsup:

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Take a look at Melbourne Uni they do a 2 year masters of nursing program for people that already have a degree in another discipline.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Dorothy is in her first year (she's in Perth and I think she's doing it through OUA). However she's overseas for a couple of weeks but will be more than happy to help you out when she gets back. She's a fraction older than you. ;)

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

As a mature student myself, albeit in the UK, I can empathise with your desire to learn something new, however I may have to be the bearer of bad news.

If you only arrived in January, then you will probably be considered an international student, which means you will have to pay international student fees......

Just taking a look at the University of Queensland, a single module worth 2 credits in Adult and Elder Nursing, will set you back $3000. Im not sure how many credits you would need, but I think you can assume its at least 10, so thats $15,000.

As Ukecadet replied, there are options to do a 2 year masters, although in my experience thopse are usually for people who already have a degree in healthcare, not any degree....

Found this......... Nursing degree at UQ.....$24000

.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

You'd think that would be the case.However my wife 'clinical nurse educator and lectures at Monash' recently had a guy who was a horticulturalist.It doesn't seem right but there you go.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Sunshine Coast UNI and Sunshine Coast Tafe both do nursing Degrees/Quals.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Thanks for the replies.
I will have a look at all those options.
(Don't like the sound of those fees though).:thumbdown:

Cheers

Jo

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

What visa are you on?

Sorry if I missed it.

Ty

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Hi Ty

I am a permanent resident (sub class 139).

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

I started my nurse training at 53 so you are not too old but I did mine in teh UK and love it ........

Shenni

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

As you are recently arrived and will be classed as an international student you might like to look at at doing the enrolled nurse course at tafe before paying uni fees. The enrolled nursing course usually allows you to skip the first year of your degree too and it only takes 18 months to complete and allows you to work while finishing off at uni.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Moneypenny's right - I'm a little older than you. I started last year at age 48 and will be 51 when I graduate. I'm studying full time (sort of) externally at UniSA which means that most of my work is done online but I have to travel to Adelaide about 3 times a year for workshops (no big deal because I love Adelaide). I actually am studying about 2/3 time, this semester I'm doing about 3/4 of a full time study load but next semester only have 1 subject and a placement in aged care. So...My 3 year degree will actually take me 4 years to complete.

Because you're here on a PR visa you qualify for domestic fees. Currently the classes I'm taking cost between $500 - $1000 approximately each plus books. UniSA courses are assigned either 9 units or 4.5 units of work. Each full time semester is equal to 18 units. The 4.5 unit classes cost about 1/2 of the 9s. So far this year I've bought about $400 worth of books. Unfortunately both this semester's units have all new texts required so I couldn't get them used. If you go to UniSA let me know and you can buy some of my books. :)

Don't worry about being in your 40's. In one of my workshops there was a woman in her 60's! She said she has always wanted to be an RN so is doing it. Good luck and if you need any help let me know.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Why will she be classed as an international student? She's a permanent resident and entitled to pay domestic fees.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

Thank god I am not alone. Just applied and been told I should get a place on nursing degree to start in Semester 2 with the intention of adding a post grad in midwifery. Turn 42 the same week I start! I was feeling a bit too old but this has helped reassure me.

Just a point I have found is that the Aus nursing degrees aren't directly comparable to UK ones so if any of us return to the UK we'd have a bit of extra studying etc to do unless we have post grad stuff here to include.

Re: Mature Students - Nursing
 

The Sunshine Coast Uni have a 2 year nursing degree for graduates - I don't think it matters what your first degree is in.
You would pay domestic fees.

Just a point I have found is that the Aus nursing degrees aren't directly comparable to UK ones so if any of us return to the UK we'd have a bit of extra studying etc to do unless we have post grad stuff here to include. Safin

Registered nurses trained in Aus are eligible to apply for UK registration unless something has drastically changed since I last looked.