Scholarships for Rural Nurses

Scholarships up to $6000 each for rural nurses to re-enter nursing and upgrade skills

Applications are currently being sought from eligible people living in rural and remote Australia with a commitment to rural nursing, for the Rural and Remote Nurse Scholarship Program: Re-entry and Upskilling Scheme (RUS).

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and administered by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA), the Scheme operates nationally and is designed to assist rural and remote nurses re-enter the nursing workforce by removing some of the financial barriers such as childcare, course fees and textbooks.

Ms Rosemary Bryant Executive Director, Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) said, “This Scheme is a wonderful opportunity to allow those nurses whose registration has lapsed to re-enter the nursing profession. It also allows nurses wanting to gain further practical skills to undertake training for their specialty field. I encourage people to contact our website for application forms and guidelines or our Call Centre on 1800 11 22 40 for more information”.

This Scheme offers two types of scholarships. Re-entry scholarships are available for both registered and enrolled nurses whose registration has lapsed or, who are unable to re-enter the nursing workforce as they have not practiced in recent years; while Upskilling scholarships are available for both currently registered and enrolled nurses to undertake practical / clinical training and job skill enhancement.

Recently re-entered nurses are encouraged to apply under this scheme to further skill themselves for their specific workplace.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday 16 September 2005.

Application forms and guidelines are available from RCNA’s web site at www.rcna.org.au

For further information contact RCNA on free call 1800 11 22 40 or email scholarships@rcna.org.au