More than 10,000 students will have the cost of their nursing or midwifery undergraduate studies paid for as part of a new initiative from the Victorian government.
The Victorian government will cover the costs of domestic students enrolling in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery degree in 2023 and 2024.
They will receive a $16,500 scholarship to cover the costs of their degree, including $9000 while they study and the remaining $7500 if they work in the Victorian public health system for two years.
“If you’re in Year 12 and you’ve been thinking about studying nursing or midwifery – go for it. We’ve got your HECS fees covered,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“Every health system in the country is under enormous pressure due to the pandemic. The best thing we can do to support our hardworking staff is give them more support on the ground – that’s why this package will train and hire more nurses than ever before.”
The government will also expand its postgraduate midwifery incentive program, providing scholarships to cover course costs and salary support for 150 existing nurses to continue working while they complete their specialist studies in midwifery.
The government will invest $270 million to ensure 17,000 nurses and midwives are recruited and trained over the coming years.
Funding will also be provided to help nurses complete postgraduate studies in specialty areas including intensive care, emergency, paediatrics and cancer care.
The government will also provide scholarships for enrolled nurses to become registered nurses, as well as scholarships for the training and employment of 100 new Nurse Practitioners in acute and community settings.
“You can’t deliver a health system with empty hospitals, which is why we are investing in hardworking nurses and midwives that are helping Victorian patients every single day,” Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
The announcement comes after it was reported almost 80 per cent of Australian nurses have declared they feel burnt out, according to the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association. Meanwhile three quarters have reported intentions to leave the sector over the next two to five years.