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Online study advice for someone in central QLD :)

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Author Online study advice for someone in central QLD :)

jacyxx

(offline)

  • Joined: Feb 2012
  • Location: Gladstone
  • Posts: 7

Wed Feb 22, 2012 2:02 pm

Hi guys! I am currently living in a little beach town in Central QLD and am looking at my options for online study to get, (eventually) my Bachelor of Nursing. I am considering getting my Diploma first (as entry would be easier I am told - given that I do not have an OP, I finished year 12 in 1999) Possibly through GCIT (Gold Coast Institute of Tafe) which is an easy 7 hours drive from me.

I would really like to begin study this year (the sooner the better) But if I was to apply to CQU it wouldn't be until next year (as I think I would have to complete a bridging course of some sort)

I have heard mixed opinions as to which way is better to go regarding the Diploma vs Bachelor and would really appreciate your opinions. Also if any one else is living in Qld and doing the Diploma or Bachelor through GCIT or CQU I would love to hear about your experience in applying and acceptance into these courses, and your experience thus far with study. And if there are any EENs or RNs here who studied at either (or both) of these campuses, I would love to hear from you as well!

Long_haul

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  • Joined: Mar 2011
  • Location:
  • Posts: 48

Feb 22, 2012, 10:52 pm

Hi Jacy,
You sound just like where I was a year ago lol. Hence my username 'Long_Haul'- in it for the long haul ;) I didn't finish year 12, but I did a bridging course. You could get in contact with USQ in regards to their TPP program (starts monday I think and they do it by distance. When I did it last year, people were still enrolling up to the 2nd week). That finishes May/June, so you might be able to apply for mid-year entry at CQU. Or you could do CQU's STEPS program. The bridging courses were so helpful. They teach you a lot of what you will need in your degree, in regards to essay writing, referencing, time managment etc. These are the foundations that will enable you to get your degree (if you can't write an essay at a university level or reference, or even delegate your time right, you're buggered).
My father inlaw was a head of department at CQU- he introduced me to the head of nursing there and she is so lovely! Although turned out I had already met her at many parties in Bris (small world). A friend of mine graduated from there a few years ago and she loved it. They also have great majors that a lot of Bris uni's don't offer.

As for EN/RN, it depends on the career you want. If you want to eventually end up in managment or as a NP, then RN is the way to go; some area's of nursing you will also find that they mainly hire RN's (ie/ Emergency Department). If there is an area you want to gain more education in, you will also need RN to do a masters. Some positions you have to have a masters to be able to work in them. There is nothing wrong, at all, with either choice. It's simply a difference of how far you, personally, want to go.

jacyxx

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  • Joined: Feb 2012
  • Location: Gladstone
  • Posts: 7

Feb 23, 2012, 05:31 pm

Hi Long_Haul! Thanks for getting back to me :)
I was just looking up the TPP course with USQ and it does sound good.. they say it provides guaranteed entry into USQ undergrad courses for the following year so I may have to call CQU and see if that would work with them. I know I could get into GCIT no problem but again just a little unsure on which would be the better way to go.
So far my main goal is to become an RN, and go further once I am at that point and decided what areas I would want to learn more about. But I would really love to be able to work whilst studying to become a RN so was thinking that may be easier by getting my EEN first and continuing study once I am working as an EEN.
Did you end up going through CQU or USQ for your nursing schooling?

Long_haul

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  • Joined: Mar 2011
  • Location:
  • Posts: 48

Feb 23, 2012, 09:34 pm

Neither lol. USQ don't have distance nursing, and their only nursing campuses are in Toowoomba and Harvey Bay. I had CQU distance as my 'safety net' university on QTAC preferences. So I sat it out a semester, did a few extra courses to keep my mind busy and applied at QTAC for Griffith. A few ladies I know are starting CQU this year- they got in by takign a STAT test and doing up a PCA. But they had finished year 12 many, many , many years ago, so were able to meet the pre-req's.

Schizo

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

Feb 27, 2012, 09:57 am

CQU is quiet a popular choice amongst those balancing working and studying. Other options include CDU which also have received some excellent feedback. I have 3 colleagues doing CQU, one said that they are now having difficulty finding clinical placements for students. Heard another person saying that but I would be surprised because most hospitals are usually more than willing to accept students since they don;t have to pay for them to gain industry experience.

May I add that it would be good if you can choose a University that can help you gain placements in Medical facilities close to you. It will make a difference, especially when travelling is involved. I know this sounds biased but gaining clinical placement in Metropolitan Hospitals is going to give students an advantage. The learning curve tends to be steeper as there are more patients load and hence more variety of morbidities. Had a friend who like me, have an interest to work in the bush later on...she opted to go to outback hospital for one of her senior pracs and was a bit disappointed with the scope of exposure.

EEN is always well sought after, so going diploma and later chasing RN is a very natural progression. Go for it and wishing you all the best.

jacyxx

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  • Joined: Feb 2012
  • Location: Gladstone
  • Posts: 7

Feb 27, 2012, 06:27 pm

Hi Schizo! I would be doing my placements in Gladstone Qld (closest town to me) as the town I live in doesn't have a Hospital, Doctor Surgery OR Aged Care Facility, so hopefully I will get placements in Gladstone okay, there are a few different places so should be okay. I am hoping that my placements learning opportunities wont be too limited being rural, but I am hoping to eventually get work in Gladstone so with any luck doing placement there will help. :)

I have decided to enrol with GCIT and will be starting in March part time (but will be trying to work ahead so that come second semester for FT students, I am able to switch to FT also, when my current studies are complete.) I am excited and nervous all at once!!

Thankyou for your replies! They are greatly appreciated and I look forward to sharing my journey with you :)

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