In a new partnership between Federation University and St John of God hospital, nursing students have been presented with a new pathway further their education and skillset.
With the aim of generating a pipeline of skilled healthcare workers, three south east Melbourne hospitals are open for clinical placements.
Jag Korneluk, a second-year bachelor of nursing student, is currently undertaking the fellowship and said that the hospitals offer a supportive and flexible environment.
“It’s just fantastic, it takes the pressure off knowing where your placement is going to be and you remain familiar with the hospital and build relationships with the facilitators,” she said.
Allison Merrigan, the director of nursing at the Berwick branch said that they put great value in their relationship with Federation University.
“We feel fortunate to have this opportunity to work in partnership to support our future nursing workforce,” she said.
“By completing their clinical placements at St John of God’s hospitals, these students are gaining invaluable clinical experience that reinforces their formal studies,” Ms Merrigan added.
As for Ms Korneluk, she couldn’t agree more.
“They are happy to explain anything to you, running education sessions towards the end of the week to reinforce the knowledge you’ve built at university,” she said.
The partnership builds on a similar collaboration with St John of God health care in Ballarat, and comes in cohesion with the university’s co-operative education model.
Georgina Willetts, a professor of nursing and practice development at the university said that “students who train locally are more likely to work locally”.
“The fellowship program strengthens this by embedding students into the hospital where they can forge important ties to the sector,” she said.
There are currently six second-year students and six third-year students in the fellowship program.
Enrolments for Federation University’s bachelor of nursing are now open. For more information, visit www.study.federation.edu.au/course/DHN5
