8 December 21, 2008 THE SUN-HERALD 9

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A flexible career is no mean feet

Hands-on
experience
Specialty courses help nurses find
their niche, writes Samantha Day.

FOR many school-leavers, the decision of whether to

enter the field of nursing is a difficult one. Though
many associate the career path with confrontational
moments involving life and death, advancements in the
health-care discipline have created a diversity of op-
tions for students who want to work in or out of
hospital wards.
The variety of specialised courses connected to
nursing has ensured a steady flow of students entering
the field in the past decade. Annabel Watson, 33,
waited years for University of Technology, Sydney, to
begin its Bachelor of Midwifery degree, the first of its
kind in NSW. She was among the original 30 students to
enrol in 2005.
The three-year degree combines midwife theory,
scientific training and clinical practice and allows
students to register as a midwife without being a
registered nurse first. Students must undertake about
1500 hours of clinical practice in an allocated Area
Health Service facility during the course, in which
they document the pregnancy, pre-natal and post- Midwifery skills ... Annabel Watson takes joy in
natal state of 30 women. helping mothers. Photo: Lee Besford
While the course is demanding, with students being
on-call to attend labours and births as well as complet- elor of nursing, have registered as a nurse and have at
ing early-morning and late-night clinical shifts, Watson least a year’s experience in clinical practice is the
believes it is a worthwhile experience. masters of nursing. It is targeted at those hoping to
‘‘This is a profession for your mind, your intuition become nurse practitioners, that is, nurses with
and your heart,’’ she says. ‘‘The Bachelor of Midwifery heightened levels of responsibility in a particular
steeps students in a joyous process of life – pregnancy. specialisation such as emergency. They are able to
Unlike nursing, you are not dealing with sickness, prescribe medication as well as diagnose and refer
ailments or injuries but instead are assisting the birth- patients to specialists.
ing process, which is something to be very proud of.’’ The head of the school of nursing and midwifery at
The popularity of the Bachelor of Midwifery has the University of Newcastle, Professor Michael
increased the course intake to 50 students. The acting Hazelton, began nursing ‘‘several decades ago’’ and has
director of midwifery studies at the University of Tech- never thought twice about his decision.
nology, Sydney, Rachel Smith, believes the specialised ‘‘For those uncertain about a degree in nursing, I
degree has revived student interest in midwifery. would tell them about a 19-year-old who started nurs-
‘‘Rather than students having to undertake a bach- ing . . . knowing only that he wanted to work with
WHEN Lisa Thompson told friends she was moving to
Albury to study podiatry, their reactions were less than There’s much more to podiatry than cutting toenails, writes Martha Tattersall. Tinley says there are many advantages to choosing
podiatry as a career. ‘‘Podiatry really does give you a
elor of nursing and then going on to study midwifery
for a year, they are able to dedicate three years full-
people. Nowadays, I am a professor of nursing, head of
a university school of nursing and midwifery and regu-
encouraging. ‘‘I had one friend who sat me down and profession at the end of it and it’s a growing market,’’ he time solely to this profession,’’ she says. larly travel overseas and throughout Australia as part
said: ‘How come you’re going to uni for four years to physios and OTs [occupational therapists] and nurses and The University of Newcastle, one of just two the podiatry school at CSU in Albury, Paul Tinley, also says. ‘‘You’re never, ever going to be out of work.’’ ‘‘Midwifery offers so many options for students. They of the job.’’
learn how to cut toenails?’ ’’ she says. doctors and I saw that there could be a need for podiatry.’’ universities in NSW that run the course, offers a three- sees the value of regional experience. The four-year Thompson, who has just completed her course and can work in the policy, research and academic sectors or The acting head of nursing at the Australian Catholic
It’s a common misconception and one Thompson Working overseas is just one of the drawcards of a year bachelor course that requires students to under- course, which similarly requires 1000 hours of practi- has a job lined up in Melbourne, saw the rural emphasis the clinical, community and private sectors. There are University, Associate Professor Michelle Campbell,
says she has been questioned about frequently. But her degree in podiatry. There is also the abundance of jobs, take 1000 hours of practical experience. The program cal work, puts emphasis on regional placements. of CSU as an advantage. ‘‘I thought that that would best fantastic travel opportunities both in Australia and over- agrees a career in nursing is full of opportunities.
Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry) at Charles Sturt the scope for employment in the public sector and was started in 2007 to address the need for more ‘‘At least one of the placements is done in a rural area prepare me for Africa,’’ she says, adding that the small seas but the best part of all is that it’s a unique job.’’ ‘‘The professional status of nursing in Australia has
University will allow flexibility, autonomy and a variety private practice and the flexibility of working part-time qualified podiatrists. and, depending on what’s available, we tend to encour- classes and family atmosphere on campus were other Workforce shortages in health care have led to the improved dramatically in recent years, along with the
of work choices. while still earning enough money. ‘‘There is definitely a shortage for regional NSW,’’ age that particular part of the program,’’ he says. ‘‘The reasons for her choice. On her toes ... newly creation of specialised degrees such as midwifery. pay scales,’’ she says. ‘‘Once you have completed a bach-
‘‘My long-term ambition, and another reason why I ‘‘As a profession, it ticks all the boxes,’’ the podiatry Chuter says. ‘‘It’s never traditionally been the popular demand for podiatry is huge with our ageing popu- ‘‘There’s only a couple of locals and most of the qualified podiatrist Some courses have been produced to complement the elor of nursing, you will be guaranteed a job as there is
wanted to do podiatry, is that I’ve spent a bit of time in program convener at the University of Newcastle, area for new graduates to go into but regional areas do lation . . . we’ve got reasonable numbers of podiatrists others are from everywhere around Australia so every- Lisa Thompson would learning outcomes of nursing in order to train students a shortage of nurses across the country. No other pro-
Africa and I really wanted to learn something that I could Vivienne Chuter, says. ‘‘There are a lot of job offer great incentives.’’ in most major cities but the place that is dramatically one becomes really close, really quickly,’’ she says. ‘‘I’ve love to work in Africa. and weave them into the workplace as soon as possible. fession can guarantee 100 per cent job security at the
take back over there,’’ she says. ‘‘There are [already] opportunities and areas to specialise in.’’ The associate professor and course co-ordinator of missing is rural health.’’ gained lots of close friends through the experience.’’ Photo: Drew Ryan An option for those who have completed their bach- end of a course like nursing can.’’

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