Banyo mum completes 're-entry' on quest to return to nursing
Published on 14 March, 2013
Sharon van der Draai remains hopeful of returning to nursing despite the challenging employment climate in Queensland's health sector.
Based in the Brisbane suburb of Banyo, Sharon recently completed her Registered Nurse Re-Entry to Practice Course online through CQUniversity, including 160 hours of practicums at Prince Charles Hospital and a three-day residential school refresher at Noosa.
She's relieved to have refreshed her nursing qualification by December last year, within the mandatory 10-year timeframe.
Sharon started out as a hospital-trained nurse in 1990 and subsequently also completed a nursing degree. She worked until 2002 but then took a break to bring up her two boys.
Nowadays, the family is very busy with camping, hiking and outdoor pursuits but Sharon is still keen to return to the workforce.
Many nurses take a break to have families or to try new career options, however they need to refresh their skills before coming back into what is a fast-changing profession.
Former nurses who are keen to return can now apply for a Registered Nurse Re-Entry to Practice Course offered by distance education, with online study. Details are via CQUniversity's Centre for Professional Health Education website at www.cqu.edu.au/engage/cphe . Prospective students should contact the CPHE in the first instance.
This CQUniversity course can arrange clinical placements in the applicant's home region. It's the only course of its type in Queensland and one of only a few in Australia available via distance education.
CQUniversity's course has been approved by the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA) and was also accredited via the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
A fresh round of scholarships (each valued at $6000) is now open to Re-Entry applicants who apply by April 19. Details are available via the Australian College of Nursing website www.rcna.org.au/WCM/ or direct via THIS LINK .