Applied to study nursing via distance ed.... anyone currently doing this?

Hi,

Sash, I don't think that taking the time to be sure about something that will affect you and your family so much is being indecisive.... or if it is then I'm ten times worse. ;) Do you mind if I ask where you did your div 2 training?

Cynn, which bridging course are you doing through CQU? How are you finding it?

Thanks :)

Summerly I did my Div 2 training at the Gordon Tafe in Geelong

I am currently studying at Charles Darwin University (CDU) with a 2.5 yr old and a 14 mth old, I do about 3 subjects a semester, but you can do what suits. There is also a summer semester so you can spread your studies out more. You have to attand a Clinical Teaching Block in your first year for 5 days, but the Clinical Teaching Block (5 days a yr) in 2nd and 3rd year are usually held in Victoria at Deakin Uni (though there are no absolute guarantees on this). Placement is in Vic near as possible to u and based on your choices where possible, 3 weeks in first year, and goes up from there. Apparently there is a placemennt shortage in Vic, so if you do placement in NT, you will prob get a better placement of your choice, ie you can be picky, if you go Vic you probably get what you can and be happy with it lol. Though this is not a problem just for CDU. I got into Monash Uni and at orientation they said they did a random selection and thats where your placement was, anywhere in Vic like Wangaratta or Albury. Rejected that spot because of the flexibility offered at CDU is fabo with babies. Anyway hope this helps

Hi, I am in first year, and part second as I got credit for a previous degree in sociology. I put the kiddies in childcare 2 days a week and pretty much just study those 2 days, as someone else mentioned some subjects are more work than others.
I did 4 subjects last semester just studying those 2 days but that was prob pushing it.
PS you may have to go to Alice Springs rather than Darwin in first year...luck of the draw, then again if u are an EN and don't have to do first yr you may be able to skip going interstate at all as 2nd year Clinical Teaching Blocks are usually in Vic

Hi I study at CDU and I am about to finish. It has been fantastic, they are quite flexible my hecs fees were halve the price I paid at USQ( Both nursing). I have travelled to Alice and Darwin for CTB's But the next one is offered here in Toowoomba. I also asked for a placement in Alice Springs and cant wait but it was mu choice. Remember all nursing degrees have clinicals....... also you can spread out the last three clinicals , you dont have to do them all in a row. I have taken 5 years to complete my degree, as have a couple of friends , I found extrenal study easier to fit in with work and family. You can take years to complete the degree , if you start next year and only take say 2 subjects it will be 2.5 /3 years before you need to do a clinical placement. just something to think about. I just got an offer for grad program today so I am rapt!

Cdu also offer great subjects.

Hi I have 1 child and started as a single mum, also had to move out bush and work full time for a while to save lol., have also got married and had 3 miscarriages during that time. I found by being consistent , making sure i did some reading/work every day , even if only 20 mins? & using the cds that come with the text book i could keep on top of things. Some times I took DD out to the park etc with a text book or notes in hand, sometimes when DH is watching tv i'm reading at the same time.When things got tough i broke it down to what was needed next and took it it one step at a time.

Academic literacies is great at helping you to write essay's.

Yep I could have had all my clinicals at home , except the 2 week long trips cos they didnt do them in qld at the time. As for spacing the clinicals they do have some pre req's , but they do offer summer semester aswell. Some people space the last 3 over 2 years, I would so not recommend doing all 5 clinicals in 1 year like me crazy!!!!! (had to redo some cos of change of uni)
The clinicals are 3 weeks in 1st year with 5 day ctb
2nd year 4 week with 5 day ctb
3rd year 2 week mental health 2 week community
4 week specialty
6 week acute + 5 day ctb.
You can take 6 yrs to complete the whole degree. Your not disadavantaged at all by taking longer..... I took 5 years including 12 mths off changed uni's and still magaged to score 4 interviews and be offered at least 1 position, before the offical letters are sent out. Although it was depressing going on clinical and having a nurse i started uni with teaching me hahahahaha . But so worth it now.

There are a few of us that have taken longer than the 3 yrs due to work, family etc some have totally lost their way and others are so excited that we finally made it you know theold story slow and steady wins the race.

Hi Glam, Wow you did well to keep going with the course after what you've been through. That must have been tough.

I definitely wouldn't do all the clinicals in the one year! I am just hoping that if I do do the course, I will be able to do clinicals near home. Otherwise it could be very difficult. I emailed the clinical placement coordinator and she said they have placed students in my town before, so that makes me feel a little better! As it is, I'm trying to convince hubby to agree to me doing the course, (If I get an offer of course). I think he thinks I will start it and then lose interest, but i have wanted to do it for a few years now. And the uni here only offers the course full time and on campus, and that just doesn't suit me.

It's great to hear from someone who has almost finished their course, and has had a positive experience. I have heard all good things about CDU. Good luck with your grad year : )

Hi all,

Well I guess hubby was right I have lost interest in doing Bachelor of nursing. For me, the placements are a deal breaker. I cannot see myself putting my child into day care and doing shift work for 4 - 6 weeks at a time, and possibly having to go to other parts of Victoria to do it. I would rather wait until she is at school, if I do it at all. I am happy with that though! As I may have said earlier, in my current job in aged care, I do virtually the same job as the RN. I know being an RN would open more doors, but as it is, I don't want to go through the degree, and put my family through it as well, only to do the same job as I am doing now. (I'm not interested in working in acute). Thanks for all of your opinions! : )

Sash

Hi Sammie,

You can find out about enrolment and start dates for the course at the CSU website, or by calling the Uni.

I have just finished (last month) my degree through CSU. I did the second year over two years by distance and the third year full time on campus.

I am an endorsed EN and we definitely get credit for the first year (hence the reason I haven't done the first year). Unfortunately, it doesn't matter where you work or for how long, the uni will not give credit for placements. Their position on this is that we may have worked in aged care, mental health, etc. but we have not worked as RNs in the areas. RNs perform some different tasks and have a higher level of responsibility, and so they won't give you credit for it, even if you may have worked in that area for 30 years.

For Sash...

I started my degree when my daughter was 5 months old. I have spent a few months away from home in the course of my degree (mainly because I studied on campus this last year which is 3 hours away from my home), but the way I see it my daughter won't remember me being away. She turned three not long ago and I have now finished. If I had started when she started school I think it would really have affected her, having me away from home so much. Now I am at home all the time, I start a new grad position in February and by the time she starts school, I will have a good, stable position somewhere.

I found that studying when my daughter was asleep and at her daycare every Tues, I managed quite well and got respectable marks. My husband is extremely supportive and encouraged me to do the degree. His mother was looking after my daughter on Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri while he was at work, and he looked after her the rest of the time. I also worked when I could so that if he had to take time off if his mother went away or had to work, we didn't have to worry about money too much. I understand that not everyone has access to that sort of family support, I was very lucky! My Mum works full time. My mother in law owns a business and lives around the corner, so she had plenty of free time and was close by.

Uni is a huge commitment for anybody. One of the ladies in my class is divorced with three kids and was studying full time on campus for three years, AND working! Doing my degree was the best decision I ever made with regard to my career. I can't wait to start my new job. I'd recommend it to anyone.