Jul 12, 2009, 06:15 pm
Hi Michael,
In WA, it is more difficult to get a place at TAFE than it is at University. I felt when I was at TAFE and then at uni, that the TAFE course was more difficult that uni (at university they tended to "spoon feed" us). In WA you don't need to have done any prior nursing course to get into uni. You need to have done TEE (now called TER) subjects at high school (usually uni require that you must have a satisfactory performance score in at least one year 12 science subject) if you want direct access (with no previous studies apart from high school) (ie, otherwise you can study at TAFE for one year in any course and you will meet the minimum requirements for university entry).
But.... I think WA is a bit different to Melbourne - have a look at the following link; it is for Bachelor of Nursing (undergraduate) at La Trobe university. On this page it will tell you how much it will cost, entry requirements, length of course etc. This is what you would study if you are not already a nurse (EN or old school RN)
www.latrobe.edu.au/coursefinder/local/2010/Bachelor-of-Nursing-(Pre-registration).4734.html
There are two ways you can become an RN:
**One (the cheaper option)**
Study Enrolled Nursing at TAFE first (1 & 1/2 years in WA). Then go to university for two years to become a registered nurse (Bachelor of Nursing).
PROS:
* Cheaper option (TAFE does not cost as much as university and you go to university for 2 years instead of 3).
* You can work as an Enrolled Nurse while you study for university.
* In my opionion (having studied both EN at TAFE and RN at university), you get more experience on the practical side of things from TAFE.
* Class size is smaller at TAFE thus it is more of an intimate environment (you get to know all the students and lecturers)
* When I did my clinical practice at TAFE in 1997, I got to see many procedures in theatre, whereas when I was at university I did not get as much access to observe operations, etc.
* You will find studying RN easier with a background as an EN.
CONS:
* The TAFE course (in WA) is more difficult to get into than the university course.
* You end up studying for 3 and 1/2 years in total instead of 3 years (if you were only going to do RN).
* In my opinion, the TAFE course is more difficult than the university course.
* Work load is huge at TAFE compared to university.
**Two (the more expensive (but quicker) option**
Apply directly to university for Bachelor of Nursing
PROS:
* Total study time to become a nurse is less (ie, 3 years instead of 3 & 1/2)
* In my opinion, university assessments are easier than TAFE.
* If, by chance, you do find it difficult to get into RN at the start of year (March intake), you can apply midyear (it is much easier to get in as you don't have as many school leavers applying).
* You can access entry into Nursing by sitting the STAT and writing an essay on why you want to become a nurse. DON'T BE SCARED OFF BY THIS - it is not as hard as people think (my friend wrote an essay for nursing and got in straight away) (remember to address what they are looking for ie, they want people who are strong candidates, who they believe will finish the course and have the heart also to be a nurse).
* Scholarships are available - DON'T BE SCARED OFF BY THIS EITHER. Scholarships don't only look for academic performance, they also will assist people who are on low income and for many other reasons. No harm in applying right, but the potential to assist financially is always a bonus :)
CONS:
* You can't work as an EN while you study
* More expensive option
* Wont get as much experience as option one
* Classes (apart from tutorials) are large, ie. around 300 students in a lecture.
I hope this has helped a bit.
Follow your heart, you'll get where you need to be. All the best with you pursuit in the nursing career.
