Is anyone starting Diploma Nursing External at Port Adelaide Tafe in August?

Hi Becmat,

I am!! I'll miss the first 2 orienation days though as I'll be interstate :(

yep I'll be there Wednesday!!

I'm doing external as I've got 2 young kids - 1 in Kindy and one with me full time. I also work part time in Child care.

How about you? Are you doing external too?

I went in for my interview yesterday and have to say I was pretty much disheartened when I left. I've studied through Uni SA previously and the contrast between thew two from what I saw/ experienced yesterday was pretty huge. I thought the overall experience was really unorganised and has made me re evaluate what I want to do. Im thinking I might hold out for the bach Nursing through Uni SA next year now... I know what to expect from them.

have you been given your subjects to enrol in Becmat? I was told full time would be about 22 hours of study time per week.

I was so excited to get there and get it all organised but yeah it was a let down. Will be interested to hear what you think. I paid for the nurses kit yesterday and have bought my textbooks but haven't enrolled in subjects yet - once that's done then you have 7 days to pay the full amount.

i was told part time is around 10 hours per week and full time 22. I can only compare to Uni, I was doing part time - 2 subjects last semester and I dod around 12 or so hours per week, full time at Uni is almost like working full time it's about 35 hours, so I think 22 as a full time load is pretty reasonable.

I'll make a decision by tomorrow and enrol then. i really want to, it was just not what I had anticipated I guess.

Are you close to TAFE Becmat?

I did 2 single units that they suggested would help towards entry to their B. Nursing... I did one called Human Health and also Child development. Really enjoyed it. I got 3/4 way through my B. Business when I left school and hated every minute of it, so i wanted to try some single units to make sure I actually liked what I was studying rather than signing up for a full course and finding the same thing happen again. I loved it, but it made me even more impatient to start nursing!!! Most of my friends are nurses, 2 of my best friends are ICU nurses and they have all been really encouraging so I decided on TAFE as the quickest way to get me working while I still have to work and have the kids with me.

Glad to hear that you had a positive experience in meeting one of the lecturers... and yeah hope that we do come across more nice, encouraging people.

I just feel really uncomfortable about people complaining to me, most of the people there seemed to be complaining about students, people not following processes, whinging about their computer systems etc and I just came away with a really negative vibe. I thought that if I felt like that about the Admin side of things then how would I be inspired to learn... know what I mean?? I really hope it was just a bad day in there or something and I got the wrong impression. Hoping you walk out super excited... then come back and report to me here :) don't let my ramblings here tarnish anything for you...

I paid for the nurses kit - $110. I was confused about all that, but I thought I was paying the whole amount - for all the subjects, but she told me that they had to be done all seperatly on 2 different systems they had or something like that...??

texts - i used Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology at Uni sa, and it's pretty comprehensive, so I just bought the colouring book and tabbners nursing care book I thought that would be good enough.

Good luck!!

I'm waiting for an email back from Peter, about RPL for a few subjects... and then I think I will enrol!!

Have you been given the kit momo? I am wondering why I was charged so much...

I bought my books on fishpond.com.au - they were a bit cheaper that way.

Fingers crossed I can get RPL... just looked at the overall cost and the 2 subjects that I am hping to gain credit for are the most expensive... would be nice to sign off on them!!

Orientation was LONG! I don't know that you really missed much. You'll have to watch a quick video on OHS, and sign your life away and then all is good.
We did a library session today, to learn about referencing, and researching.

Just wishing you luck for the course guys!!

I enrolled but have withdrawn this week. I got sick while I was away and wasn't able to make it in to TAFE yesterday and I had to complete the Orientation stuff with Peter before I was allowed to commence. I have so much catching up to do before I even start and I found I was always chasing TAFE for things... so I thought I'd wait and go with Uni SA next year. Will be the longer option and I am a bit sad but hopefully I can keep focussed on the long term!

Good luck!!