Exactly 20 years after the mass move of nurse education away from hospitals onto university campuses, CQU is leading the way for students to get a weekly dose of clinical experience.

The two days a week of clinical experience will be embedded in theory and mentored by clinical associate lecturers.

CQU can now offer prospective students more clinical experience (pracs) than any other program in Australia, at a time when most universities are slashing clinical hours.

CQU offers the Bachelor of Nursing via its Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Mackay campuses and via a collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Head of the School of Nursing & Health Studies, Dr Lorna Moxham said the move to the tertiary sector had always been criticised for producing graduates who were not as workforce-ready as industry would like.

“Early this year we had a two-day planning day - 56 stakeholders - mostly industry who said the same thing,” Dr Moxham said.

“We listened - we re-wrote the curriculum with industry input - we re-wrote a new clinical model.

“Instead of eight weeks of theory followed by two weeks of prac, our students are now having prac every week of term (12 weeks) for two full days. This commences term two in year one.

“We really are reclaiming some lost practicum and bridging the theory-practice gap.

“Our students will be mentored and assessed by a clinical associate lecturer. This person will be based in the healthcare facility, know the facility (which will enhance orientation, learning and problem solving) and will be committed to that facility.”.

Dr Moxham said the clinical associate lecturers would be appointed in full partnership and collaboration with the facility.

“This is also a great selling point. Traditionally students were 'looked after' by facilitators who may have never even worked in the hospital or facility before.

“We will now have continuity and also a pathway for clinicians to be more involved with the University - linking us rather than the us-and-them approach which has always been there.

Dr Moxham said nursing is a professional degree and graduates are expected to hit the ground running.

“An increase in clinical hours which are totally embedded in theory will have to help,” she said.

Dr Moxham said the changes had wide-ranging support from health district managers to the Division of GPs.

Photo: At the launch of CQU’s revamped nursing degree are (from left) Lex Oliver – Executive Director of Nursing Services – Rockhampton Health District; CQU Head of Nursing & Health Studies Dr Lorna Moxham; and Darren Holzberger, Director of Nursing – Mater Hospital, Rockhampton.