Nursing issues

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Some friendly advice needed :)

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Author Some friendly advice needed :)

911insidejob

(offline)

  • Joined: Sep 2009
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 11

Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:09 pm

Hi, not sure exactly where to post this, but here goes.

I am interested in a career in nursing. I am thirty one years of age, male and am a qualified boat builder.

What I am after is some advise on where to study, what to study and how a male would fit into what is at least perceived to be a predominantly female vocation(I'm not saying it is a woman's domain, that's just the general perception).

From what I can gather there is the Diploma and the Bachelor in Nursing. Is it worth doing the diploma first and then moving up to the bachelor at a later date or is it wiser just to do the bachelor first up? Naturally I don't want to drag the education process out any further than necessary.

Are there any agencies or departments out there which can offer someone like myself guidance?

If possible, would someone who has done the diploma or bachelor be able to advise on how intensive the courses are and whether it is possible to get fifteen to twenty hours work in on the side to help pay the bills at home.

Thanks guys(in the American lingo sense).

jen22

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  • Joined: Feb 2009
  • Location:
  • Posts: 7

Sep 18, 2009, 03:58 pm

Hi 911insidejob,

Good on you for thinking of a career in nursing. I am currently studying my Diploma of Nursing and there are many males in my class and I know many males that are nurses. In QLD the Diploma of Nursing is done through tafe and takes 18 months. The bachelor of Nursing takes three years, however if you successfully complete the diploma most universities will offer you a one year credit towards the bachelor degree. I personally chose to do the diploma first and then I will start the bachelor degree next year. I have found it to be really good as it has given me a lot of experience as a nurse and I will be able to work as a EEN while completing my RN at uni. So all up it will take me 3 1/2 years to become a qualified RN as opposed to 3 years if i just went straight to uni.

I can't speak about the workload at uni, but at tafe the workload can be high especially if you have not studied for a while but I found the first semester to have the heaviest workload but as long as you are committed and organised it is possible to work 15-20 hrs per week.

The Nursing councils in each state may be a good place to start for some info as well as the tafes and universities in your area.

Good Luck. Hope this helped.

Schizo

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  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location:
  • Posts: 239

Sep 19, 2009, 06:10 am

Jen22's advice is spot on, could not have put it any better. If I may just expand on Jen22's line...if you have an existing University degree that is NOT more than 10 year old or if it is more than 10 years old but you have been working in the industry that your uni qualifications are for, then you can apply to universities to go in as grad entry which means that thennursing course is going to be 2 years instead of 3 for normal entry or 3.5 years as per Jen22's suggestion via TAFE. If you plan to go this route because you meet the criteria, then apply through QTAC which coordinates alll local applications.

I see that you're in Brisbane, so your choces are either ACU, UQ, Griffith, QUT or Bond. Check out their open houses which are starting about now...applications for next year's entry are already running, some advertise saying that applications for entries are only for mid term 2010, don't be fooled, if you're grad entry they usually still have room for you to come in for beginning of the year.

There are heaps of male nursing students in my Uni so you won;t feel out of place..lol. Most students are mature age so again you'll fit right in...as if you're that old...LOL. I fit both categories.

If you would like more information about what nursing involves, opportunities and what it is like for males in this female dominated domain...you are more than welcome to email me - zen_archery_centre@yahoo.com.au

Best of luck 911insidejob

911insidejob

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  • Joined: Sep 2009
  • Location: Brisbane
  • Posts: 11

Sep 22, 2009, 12:57 pm

Hey thanks Jen22 and Schizo for the advise, much appreciated.

I've been doing a bit more research and have decided that the diploma is the most realistic course for me at present. Because I didn't complete year twelve and have not completed any formal tertiary programmes I have been told entry into a nursing bachelor course will be very unlikely without doing a tertiary preparation certificate.The USQ is a possibility for the bachelor as they are a bit more open to guys like me but their nearest campus offering the course is in Toowoomba so that is out for me.

With the diploma the TAFE have said they will take into account my trade certificate and many years life/ work experience plus other incidentals like my ability to sustain myself during the course and my desire and commitment to complete the course. Failing that there is a private provider that runs the diploma, it costs considerably more but is still an option of last resort.

Doing the diploma will also give me the option of earning money sooner, although my goal is to become a RN. I can afford to study for several years thanks to my wife who is really supportive and understanding! However she will want me to keep some money rolling in once I have established a study routine.

I am applying for the Southbank diploma course this week and am really hoping I can get in. It is difficult to gauge my chances as no one will officially tell me what my odds are and how many alternative entry places are up for grabs. Here's hoping!

cheers guys...and Schizo, I'll be in touch.

Schizo

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  • Joined: Jan 2009
  • Location:
  • Posts: 239

Sep 24, 2009, 03:26 am

Heya 911,

Starting off with Div 2 is just as good. I wonder if Unis like QUT or UQ does cert IVs (Div 2)? If so it would makes for much easier transition. Anyways, all the best and hope you'll enjoy the tree change...LOL

minigmgoit

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  • Joined: Apr 2010
  • Location: Darwin
  • Posts: 50

Apr 13, 2010, 01:53 pm

Hello there!

I for one wish that I had gone down the diploma route rather than diving headlong into the degree. The work load (for me anyway) appears to be ridiculously high. With the diploma you get hands-on experience as well.We only get 1 placement in our first year!

Back to the workload though.

Its very high in the first year. We are studying anatomy and physiology, physics and chemistry as well as some other "what it is to be a nurse" subjects too.

I'm a mature age student and work 30 hours a week (rent has to be paid) and now in week 6 have very little time for study and assignments (study is currently going out the window).

Not sure whether I've bitten off more than I can chew. I think diploma all the way.

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