studying nursing

Hi, Just read your post and I think as a mature aged student, you'll probably be better off going straight into a degree course. From my experience, I noted that most mature age students tend to fair better in the courses that they take up. Maybe because life experiences has given them maturity and tenacity to pursue their dreams. This is particularly true of those wishing to study nursing. Mature aged students also tend to fair better in their clnical placements as I myself am in Brisbanee finishing off my third year and have witness on all my clinical placement rounds that the mature aged students are more enthusiastic and keen to learn. No offence to the younger students, I am generalising from what I have seen and does not necessarily apply to everyone....lol

The course torture is the same be it for a diploma or a degree. I recommend a degree because you will somehow find time to juggle family commitments and studies. I have 4 kids....so I can safely claim that its DO-ABLE....lol

If you choose a diploma, you will still have to go through the process of going to clinical placements which you would NOT be paid for but have to sacrifice again if you continue on to a degree thereafter, a situation which most ENs choose to pursue as an RN is the initial gateway to specialising in different areas of medical care. However moving on from a diploma to a degree as you have suggested would mean that you will get exemption for 1 year of study in your degree course but still its a longer route.

If you have a pre-existing degree which is not in excess of 10 years old or if in excess of 10 years from since you graduated, but have worked in the industry of your qualifications, you can try to apply for graduate entry into a degree course in a University. This means only 2 years of studying to be a RN instead of the full 3 years...maybe this is an option for you.

In brisbane your options for a degree course would more likely be Griffith Uni, ACU (Boondal) or QUT (Kelvin Grove/Gardens Point). UQ school of nursing is in Ipswich, probably not an option for travelling but still well worth the consideration. Me? I am at QUT.

Do cosnider quickly as apparently there's a big influx of students returning to Uni to study and upgrade. Most Unis may have closed their applications and if you need to take action quckly if you would like to secure a place for start of 2010. All the best and good luck

Hi nursemcgerk, With kids its a matter of planning your housework and schedules. here are some of my tips around things -

1) Cook 3 or 4 meals in bulk, portion them out and freeze them. Extra Time spent is only marginal and you will find how convenient it would be during the week.

2) Start studying before the semester begins...lol. I find by studying I get a head start and won't be under pressure to catch up.

3) Organize yourselves in study groups. Mature age students of similar goals are best. Running in a pack has its advantages especially where you find a support system like "Blackboard" where all your announcements, online exams, lecture notes and etc etc are posted. If you miss a nook where a little precious tidbit is found (its a pyramid system and can be pretty deceiving) you could be in for a bit of strive. Recently some of my colleague very nearly missed out of an online exam because it was a bit difficult to navigate on blackboard.

4) Good, fast computer

5) Get in early to secure your tutorials so that you can cram everything into three days or less.

6) Miss lectures!! LOL Yes that's one of my techniques....albeit very questionable.....;) I attend the first lecure and determine if I need to go for subsequent lectures, if not I miss them altogether. One some days I can babysit and do my studies at home. Most of the time you can download your lectures via podcast on blackboard if you hear from fellow students that it was worth a ear..lo. There will be some complusory tutorials where you will be marked for attendance and contribution. Pick and choose at will. Miss your tutorials BUT NEVER MISS DOWNLOADING TUTORIAL questions and doing them!!!

Make some enquiries about Unis, there are some that can and will give you an advantage when it comes to securing a graduate nurse program because of its standard in producing quality nurses. You might want to check if cert III would be sufficient to get you a leg up straight into a degree course.

Good luck..