Off campus study??

I'm studying (first year) with unisa - there is great support for extenal students, from lecturers and other students as well as access to learning advisors for assistance with assignments.

A full time load is a recommended 40 hrs/week... I do around 15 - 30 hours/week from home with the kids distracting me and have been getting high distinctions and distinctions so far. Exams are held at exam centres in your region if you are outside the adelaide metro area (I am in Brisbane and mine are usually within 30 mins from home).

As I am only in 1st year I have yet to do my first placement - however, they are arranged locally, if possible to venues of your preference.

I am loving the course so far - it's definately a handy way to study if you have other life commitments.

Lizzie

Sorry some more questions....when you complete your studies...are you registered with the nurses board of SA and you have to transfer over or are you automatically registered to your states nurses board (this part confuses me)?

I have been reading that there are times that you need to go over to SA to attend some workshops...have you done this yet and how often do you have to go over?

I am really keen to go ahead and do this but I have to make 100% certain this is going to work for me and my family you know.

Emily Kate...I just got off the phone with one of the people in the future students office from UNISA and got a heap of info. She actually told me if you work in the industry then they try to organise your placements in your workplace otherwise they find a place as convenient as possible. For exams and things you get alot of notice.

We only have to go over a couple of times a year and thats all. We do have the option to study part time or full time and its all covered by HECS HELP.

I am applying without a doubt!

Hi!

I'm also in a similar position to you guys. I'm in Adelaide and I was tossing up between CDU and UniSA. I applied last week and put UniSA as my first preference and CDU as my second. Not quite sure how I am going to juggle full time work and a clinical placement, but that's not until the second year, so anything can happen between now and then. I'm a bit cautious about studying externally, because of the motivation factor, but its really the only way I can do it with work, so hopefully there will be a bit of support amongst the other external students.

I went to the UniSA open day on the weekend and spoke to one of the program directors. She said they have course discussion boards (probably a bit like this one) and the lecturer pops in every couple of days to answer any questions anyone might have. She also said that external students are more than welcome to come to the lectures if they are able to, which is great if you are from Adelaide, not so great if you aren't.

Is anyone doing the STAT test for their application? I'm a bit nervous about that one :)

Lauren

Hi, I did my education by distance. Not uniSA, but CDU in Darwin. I liked the independence, and the fact that I could work my life around it. Unis are more online these days as well, so you should have better access. I too was an EN. It really helps with the concepts, because you are already working in the field.

Cant tell you about uniSA support. What I can say though is because I had all my 'lectures' at home, ie as packages, I could read them at my 'leisure', and take notes in my own time too! Not sit in a tutorial room and try to scribble every little scrap of info the lecturer throws at you. So I believe you have an even better chance at getting a quality education...because the lecturer can't just scribble the notes the night before, but has to have them properly presented before you get them.

Best of luck in your choice. I recommend it.

Hi Keeshy

I'm hoping that you've applied directly through UniSA rather than via OUA!

UniSA via OUA is a complete disaster, I dont even know where to begin...! The lecturers disappear in the middle of semester, without word, for weeks at a time, they ignore student questions, there's material in exams thats outside the scope of the course, assignment marking is all over the place and takes forever, and they're incapable of organising clinical placements!

Of the initial intake of 50 students only 6 graduated - and thats due only to their incredible hard work and determination. The university gives students absolutely no support, while at the same time doing everything possible to make things harder for us. We are 100% self taught.

Currently the third year students have just been told that the uni has been "unable" to organise our final clinical placement. It was due to start in just two weeks. Obviously without this placement we can't graduate, and we can't accept our grad programs for next year.

If anyone else reading this is even considering OUA/UniSA please stay well away, I wouldn't wish this nightmare on my worst enemy.

Hi Keeshy,

OUA is Open Univesities Australia, UniSA offers a full fee paying place through them. I have heard some very bad things about the nursing course through OUA lately. The structure is the same as that offered direct, but it does have some differences.

- OUA students must attend their workshops in Whyalla while those studying direct have the option of attending Adelaide, Whyalla or Mt Gambier

- OUA students pay fullfee, while those studying direct pay a "contribution" to a government supported place.

I have also heard rumour that the OUA students are not allowed to contact lecturers via email, and can only use discussion boards. One girl who is studying direct through uniSA this year started through OUA, but was having trouble getting credit for her previous work, which seems pretty crazy being the same curriculum.

Don't think this is likely to have much impact if you are studying direct, but should clear up what OUA is.

Steph.

I am also studying externally through unisa and thought i'd add my thoughts.

Overall, it works for me, i started off internally, and while the interaction was good, i found a lot of the discussions etc in tutorials were too time consuming as a mature age student. What is discussed in 2 or 3 hours in a tute, i find you can do the readings in your own time and grasp the concept just as well in half the time. So for me it works.

You do need to be very proactive, and to be honest, i find you do need to hassle the tutors a fair bit on the discussion board/email to get answers to your questions regarding assingments etc as they seem overworked with too many students to respond to. That's probably my biggest gripe.

In terms of workshop dates take a look at this link which explains the requirements quite well:

http://www.unisa.edu.au/nur/pdf/ExternalWorkshopRequirements08.pdf

In terms of the placements there is one 4 week aged care placement at the end of 2nd year and two 8 week placements in each semester of 3rd year.

I have also heard very bad things about open university course, all the best with your decision though!

I am currently a full time regeistered nursing student going into my second year.........has been a struggle as a single mum and am looking into external studies....so far looked at UniSA and Charles Darwin...does anyone have any advice on which is the better of the two....cheers