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I want to be a nurse and I need some advice

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Author I want to be a nurse and I need some advice

Elle_Ropkins

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  • Joined: May 2011
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Tue May 10, 2011 7:05 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to choose a nursing program and I'd truly appreciate some good advice. At this point, I am thinking that I'll go to USyd but if another uni in Sydney offers a particularly excellent program, I'd go to that uni instead. Is the department at USyd good?

More importantly, I'm not sure which program to study if I do go to USyd. I have a BA so I could do the graduate entry Master of Nursing. Here is some more info: http://sydney.edu.au/nursing/course_information/gem/mnursing_index.shtml

Another option is to do the Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies): http://sydney.edu.au/nursing/course_information/bachelor_nursing_advanced/b_nurs_advanced_studies_index.shtml

I want to come out of it as a highly skilled graduate. I want to be a really excellent nurse, ready to hold my weight as an RN etc. I'd rather do the masters so I can start working sooner but if it isn't the right program, of course I'd rather take a bit more time to do one that will allow me to achieve my goals. Please help me nurses!

Best,

Elle

Elle_Ropkins

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May 11, 2011, 05:40 pm

Um thanks? I kind of gathered that science was a key component...

So, does anyone have an answer for any the questions that I actually did ask?

CareerChanger

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  • Joined: Jul 2009
  • Location: Sydney
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May 18, 2011, 04:23 pm

Hi Elle

Have you looked at the UTS Graduate entry course? Also a 2 year RN conversion if you already have another degree. I'm about 2/3 through the course and have had no huge problems. I also got offered USyd but family and friends advised that, if I could get in, UTS was the way to go! Hospitals also seem to really like UTS students.

It's application through UAC and they aren't overly fond of making early round offers so you might need to sit tight till January too see if you get an offer.

For us the first year was 1 day a week City campus for Science, rest is at Ku-ring-gai campus. The second year you go into the same 3rd year program as the 3 year students. Not sure if that is still the case as they introduced a new curriculum this year :).

Hope that helps!

Gretta

midaz

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May 20, 2011, 12:12 am

I have a friend doing the masters course (after a BA like you) and I wondered the same things as you at first since I did the typical three year degree (after a BA as well!!).

But after only 2 years of practice I am well aware I simply cannot remember all that I studied during that time. Or even most of it. But after a few weeks of practice I think I realised how much of this profession is experience based and manual skills. All that I learnt in uni, all my fantastic grades, all my ideals about holistic care did not prepare me for working as a nurse. Extra biochemistry units do not help you manage a ridiculous patient load or shower someone, or talk to them about dying.

I think that outside of the nursing essentials (that were posted earlier by the spammer) the critical thinking and study skills you learn in any degree are what will enable you to learn what you need to in order to supplement your knowledge base and adapt to your particular area of practice. The most important thing on top of that is experience. Unfortunately most degrees of any length don't offer enough placements so if you're worried about graduating with good clinical skills I would say to an undergraduate in ANY course that they consider parttime or volunteer work in the field.

petal888

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Aug 08, 2011, 04:06 pm Last edited Aug 08, 2011, 04:06 pm update #1

Hi Elle,

I'm considering exactly the same thing ie. I am finishing my BA at the end of this year and would like to go onto to do graduate nursing. I've research a few courses and I was considering the Masters of Nursing at USYd, Monash Melbourne Master of Nursing Practice or the Master of Nursing studies at UQ in Brisbane beginning 2012 (haha so may options all over Australia!). But I'm leaning towards Monash as it's a 1.5 year course with an optional summer semester and has mid year intake and beginning of the year intake which is flexible and good!

The graduate programs are apparantly (from my reading from the Uni course websites) more practical based and there are more clinical hours which I think is beneficial for a graduate going into nursing. Because we have done alot of critical writing previously in the BA, more clinical hours would be more interactive and interesting (I imagine although, obviously I don't know yet) and maybe a chance to practice and prepare to be a well rounded, reliable nurse. I also think a Masters would be more challenging as its educationally higher and would be a great personal acheivement also as I'd imagine you'd have to pick up your game a little bit more which I think will be useful in the long run :) Melanie :)

modified: Monday 08 August 2011 4:15:18 pm - petal888

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