New nursing schools ‘a good start’ to address health workforce needs

14 September 2007

The Government’s announcement of $170 million funding to create 25 new hospital-based nursing schools has been welcomed by the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA).

APHA Executive Director, Michael Roff, said the Association had been pushing for government measures to increase the hospital-based clinical training component of nurse education for some time.

“We are pleased the government has now moved to address this issue which will help to overcome the ‘expectation gap’ of current nurse graduates that leads to problems with retention.

“This proposal also recognises the reality of Australia’s mixed public/private system by allowing the new nursing schools to be established in both public and private hospitals.

“40% of all patients are treated in private hospitals and many of these hospitals are already involved in training our future nurses.

“The nursing school proposal builds on other government initiatives to further expand medical specialist training into the private sector. It is clear that private hospitals are recognised as a valid and appropriate training setting and we look forward to contributing further to the education of Australia’s future health workforce.

“This proposal is a good start, but both public and private hospitals would benefit if university trained nurses were also provided with financial incentives to stay in the profession.

“Australia has an ageing nursing workforce, and while this proposal will go some way to addressing that issue, we believe a bonded HECS rebate is another proposal that all parties should consider to address the 40% of nurses who leave the profession within two years of graduation.”

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Media Contact: Michael Roff (02 6273 9000)