Thousands of nurses and midwives will have their university fees paid as part of a $270 million package announced by the Victorian Government on Sunday.
Under the package, more than 10,000 students would receive their nursing and midwifery undergraduate studies for free and scholarships would be available for postgraduate studies in areas of need, including intensive care, cancer care, paediatrics and nurse practitioner specialities.
Professor Jane Mills, Dean of La Trobe University’s Rural Health School across four campuses, including Shepparton, said it was a sensible approach by the government.
But she wanted to see more details about what share of support would go to students in regional and rural areas.
“For it to be of good effect out in the regions then clearly there needs to be some quarantining of those scholarships,” Prof Mills said.
“So we have the opportunity for regional campuses to educate registered nurses, but then also think about segueing those people into employment in regional hospitals and health services.
“I think it will provide opportunities for people who may not have otherwise been able to afford to go to university.”
In 2023 and 2024, all new domestic students enrolling in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery course would receive a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover course costs.
Students would receive $9000 while they study and the remaining $7500 if they worked in Victorian public health services for two years.
Meanwhile, 150 existing nurses would be supported to continue working while completing specialist studies in midwifery.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the package would help ease some of the pressure on the state’s health system.
“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,” he said.
“The best thing we can do to support our hardworking staff is give them more support on the ground.”
The package also included scholarships for enrolled nurses to upskill to become registered nurses, and scholarships to support training and employment of 100 new nurse practitioners.
More than $20 million would provide more support to graduates transitioning into work at Victorian hospitals, with access to clinical educators, preceptors and study time.
Prof Mills said staff shortages in rural and regional areas were a “huge problem” and, with rural nurses about five years older on average than their metropolitan counterparts, she said now was the time to act.
One factor she identified was promoting the retention of early career registered nurses.
“There are good transition-to-practice programs, but they only last for the first year,” she said.
“It’s really important to think about what goes on in year two, three, four and five, to support people to develop as experienced registered nurses who want to stay in the profession.”