Oct 21, 2008, 09:08 pm
Hi Keeshy,
I'm in my second year through UniSA. From my experience, one of the biggest issues studying off campus is motivation. Also, I have found it is really important to build a good support network. This doesn't have to be big, but it allows you to exchange information, especially regarding assignments etc. There is only one other UniSA student near where I live, so I find MSN (or any other IM program) is useful for this.
I have also found it quite scary going on placement, and don't feel like I know enough, although I think I know more than I realise, if that makes any sense. I have been lucky this time around and got placement close to home (ELA 1 is a nursing home placement, but as a div 2 you won't have to do this one). However, one of the other girls told me that when she went for a job interview in a hospital somewher in Vic as a div 2 she was told that they don't generally accept UniSA students for placement because the uni only gives them 8 weeks notice, which is very disappointing considering how much notice we give them as to our venue preferences.
Sorry, I'm getting a bit off track from your questions. One thing I have noticed at the workshops is that they will ask who is an EN, and sort of target it at the level they expect of an EN. However, a lot of the EN's were upset at them dividing us at the most recent workshop on the assumption that EN's could undertake female catheterisation. Apparently they can in SA, but not in Victoria (which seems to be where half the externals come from!) So from this perspective the quality is probably not as good, but I pointed out to one of the lecturers that 2 of the other girls who are div 2's hadn't done it because they were quite concerned at not being shown and they let them do it, so you just have to push your way in if you aren't sure how to do something. I suppose this is also an example of how state to state currculum varies.
It is a rocky road, however, I do feel that I have pushed myself to find other ways to seek knowledge as an external student, mainly through work experience. I don't know if this is as relevant to you because you are already an enrolled nurse, however I suppose it could encourage you to seek experiences in other wards etc.
I hope this helps rather than confusing you more. I can only speak for uniSA, not CDU or anywhere else. Who knows what might change in terms of curriculum in the next couple of years, with the talk around of national registration? One other thing with doing a course in a different state at the moment- you have to register in that state and then apply in your own state under mutual recognition, so it does cost a bit more in registration fees, although in the scheme of things this is relatively little, so long as you are prepared for it.
Good luck in whatever you do. If you need any more info, just ask :)
