Generous scholarships are helping Renmark nursing students study and live in the Riverland under an Australian Government Destination Australia initiative.
Local nursing students commencing their studies with Flinders University’s longest running nursing program in the Riverland are eligible to apply for one of 12 major scholarships to cover the costs of their three years of study.
The $45,000 Destination Australia scholarships are on offer in 2020 for international and domestic students commencing the Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration) at the University’s Riverland campus on the grounds of the Renmark Paringa Hospital.
Flinders is recognised as the best nursing program in South Australia as a result of more than 40 years of nursing education and experience, including more than 17 years in the Riverland.
The scholarships are established under Destination Australia – an Australian Government initiative designed to attract and support students to study in regional SA.
Flinders University Renmark nursing lecturer Dr David Pickles says studying in Renmark gives students the opportunity to develop the same level of skills and knowledge offered in the Adelaide program, while maintaining their lifestyle in the Riverland.
“Our nursing program includes integrated learning on the grounds of the Renmark Paringa Hospital, allowing students to develop strong relationships and networks in the local community,” he says.
“Students have the opportunity to complete their learning placements in local hospitals, community centres and aged care facilities – places they might end up working in upon graduating.
“Placement opportunities are also available in metropolitan Adelaide, as well as other regional areas across SA and the NT, as Flinders has a strong presence in Alice Springs.”
Dr Pickles says Flinders Renmark students are often from a wide cross section of the community including school leavers and mature-aged students, some of whom are financially disadvantaged.
“This can present quite a barrier to pursuing their dream of becoming a nurse,” he says.
“The Destination Australia scholarships are fantastic for these students as they reduce the financial stress associated with full time study, allowing them to focus on their studies and become the highly valued registered nurses of the future.”
Mother-of-two Chantelle Frankcombe is in her second year of the nursing degree at Flinders Renmark and makes the 1.5-hour drive from Mildura to attend her classes.
“Flinders was the better choice for me, and I haven’t looked back,” she says. “I liked the timetable and course structure of the Flinders Renmark degree, and the teaching cohort is smaller. You get to know your tutors and they get to know you. It’s a real family environment.”
Ms Frankcombe says undertaking nursing placements in a regional area was also beneficial.
“When I was on placement, the facilitator was fantastic. The nurses have time to show you things – it’s a great learning experience,” she says.
Applications are now open for the Destination Australia Scholarships until March 10 and must be submitted via the Student System.
The scholarships will be valued at $15,000 per annum for the duration of the nursing program – up to a maximum of three years. Payment will be made in two instalments each year.
To be eligible students must be commencing a degree at Flinders University, be enrolled full time and studying at the Riverland campus; and maintain ongoing residency in a regional area as defined by the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.