Sep 17, 2008, 06:13 pm
Hi Robert,
If you decide on doing EN then Melbourne will have a 12 month certIV course, but SA has an 18 month diploma. I *think* tafe is relatively easy to transfer credits accross if you move whilst completing your course, however, when it comes to uni this is often not so simple. Depending on how motivated you are to study nursing external studies could also be an option if you would otherwise have to move. Tafe SA has an external EN's course offered through Whyalla, which as far as I know is the only EN's course offered by distance. There are a few more options if you decide to go external on a bachelor of Nursing. University of South Australia, Charles Darwin University and Central Queensland University all offer a bachelor of nursing through this mode. There are also a few unis where you can study externally only if you ar an EN or complete a certain portion of the course first, including Charles Sturt uni and University of New England.
When it comes to weighing up whether or not to wait for your local tafe you need to consider your individual circumstances. Nobody else can answer this for you. Do you have family responsibilities now? Will you in 3 or 4 years time? Do you have to work full time now? Will you in 3 years?
It might be difficult to answer these questions, because the future is always uncertain, but if you think you will have more responsibility in 3 years the now is probably the time to study, if not and you are patient enough then it might be worth waiting if you don't want to move away.
Good luck with it.
Steph.
