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Previous Ministers

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3 July 2005
JB092/05

Nurses working in aged care homes and people looking for a rewarding and challenging career in aged care have been encouraged to apply for scholarships for the 2006 academic year.

Federal Minister for Ageing Julie Bishop said the ageing of Australia’s population would mean more people would require high quality care delivered by aged care professionals.

“That is why the Australian Government is investing almost $150 million in a range of initiatives to help aged care nurses and other workers to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to provide the care and support that older Australians need and deserve,” Ms Bishop.

“More than 900 scholarships have been offered since the scheme commenced in 2003 with 504 scholarships being offered for study in 2005.

“These scholarships will particularly assist people in rural and regional areas who wish to become nurses in aged care and enable current aged care nurses to undertake a broad range of professional development opportunities,” she said.

“Up to 250 undergraduate scholarships will be available, with each scholarship worth $10,000 a year, up to a maximum of $30,000.

“Scholarships valued at up to $10,000 are also available to assist nurses working in aged care homes to undertake further education and training in dementia care, palliative care and other similar higher education programs.

“While preference is given to applicants living and working in regional and rural areas I also encourage applicants living in metropolitan areas with an aged care background to apply for these scholarships.”

Applications for Undergraduate Scholarships close on 26 August 2005, while applications for Postgraduate - Continuing Education Scholarships close on 23 September 2005. More information and application forms are available from the Royal College of Nursing Australia on 1800 11 66 96 or www.rcna.org.au

Media contact: Rachael Thompson 0417 265 289
Further information about the Australian Government’s aged care nursing scholarships program is attached.

Aged care nursing scholarship scheme fact sheet

The Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme is an Australian Government initiative aimed at encouraging more people to enter aged care nursing and increasing the skills of nurses working in the aged care sector. Preference is given to applicants living and working in regional and rural areas but applicants with an aged care background who live in metropolitan areas will be considered.

Over 972 scholarships have been offered since the Scheme commenced in 2003 with 504 scholarships being offered for study in 2005. 102 scholarship recipients have now completed their studies with financial assistance from the Scheme.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Undergraduate scholarships are available to people who can demonstrate a commitment to aged care and wish to undertake an accredited entry to practice undergraduate nursing course at an Australian University.

Up to 250 scholarships will be offered for study in 2006 with each Scholarship providing financial assistance of up to $5,000 per semester, to a maximum of $30,000 per applicant, during their nursing studies.

626 undergraduate scholarships have been offered since the Scheme commenced in 2003.

The closing date for Undergraduate Scholarships is 26 August 2005.

Postgraduate – Continuing Education Scholarships

Postgraduate - Continuing Education scholarships are available to registered nurses/division 1 nurses working in aged care facilities who wish to undertake further studies that are directly relevant to their nursing employment in aged care. Registered nurses/division 1 nurses who do not have a current practising certificate may also apply if they intend undertaking a re-entry course or they can demonstrate that they are eligible to re-register.

Each Scholarship provides financial assistance of up to a total of $10,000 per applicant.

346 Postgraduate – Continuing Education scholarships (including Honours scholarships) have been offered since the Scheme commenced in 2003.

The closing date for Postgraduate - Continuing Education Scholarships is 23 September 2005.

Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Support Systems

Further support is available to scholarship recipients through the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Support Systems. The Support Systems provide a range of programs and resources designed to assist scholarship recipients in their study of aged care. This initiative is available exclusively to Aged Care Nursing Scholarship recipients and includes a formal mentoring scheme; a dedicated website with links to relevant on-line resources and organisations; on-line discussion groups; E-bulletins; academic skills resources; selected literature database; and project officers to help access and use programs and resources.

Currently there are 118 registered mentees and 170 registered mentors with 111 partnerships in action. 293 scholarship recipients have also registered for the Support Systems website.

For further information about the Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme please contact the Royal College of Nursing, Australia on:

Freecall: 1800 11 66 96
Email: scholarships@rcna.org.au
Website: www.rcna.org.au