Aged Care Nursing Scholarships

Following recommendations from the Royal College of Nursing Australia which administers the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme, a number of changes to respond to the needs of nurses were made.

Many of the students have highlighted the need for the program to reflect the popularity of part-time study.

Other changes to the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme include:

1. Allowing enrolled nurses in aged care to join registered nurses in undertaking continuing education scholarships scheme - making it consistent with other Commonwealth-funded scholarships;
2. Increasing the number of scholarships awarded annually in recognition of the number of part-time students; and
3. Allowing Registered Nurses to access full postgraduate scholarships for study in a Commonwealth supported place.

The Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme was set up to increase the number of students entering aged care nursing, especially in rural and regional areas - at either the undergraduate or post-graduate level and to provide assistance in continuing education.

"Nurses are an integral part of the health and aged care system. This is about improving the skills of our nation's nurses and supporting them," Minister for Ageing Mrs Elliot said.

"Allowing enrolled nurses to access on-going educational opportunities will help retain these valuable staff in our aged care homes. We need to make sure we have the right training and scholarships programs in place," Mrs Elliot said.

Other Australian Government aged care workforce nursing initiatives include:

1. $39.4 million over five years to bring nurses into the Australian workforce including or places for 7,750 extra nurses and midwives in public and private hospitals, and 1,000 nurses in residential aged care homes;
2. An allocation of an additional 500 Commonwealth supported nursing places at universities to commence in second semester 2008 and a further 1,000 places to commence in 2009;
3. Assisting enrolled nurses to access recognised and approved medication administration education and training programs; and
4. Funding the Diploma in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Qualifications) for residential aged care workers through the Better Skills Better For Better Care program.