Flinders NT boosts student placements through workforce support

Flinders Nursing student, Megan Whitmee and her Nurse Preceptor James Fowler on placement in the Emergency Department, Alice Springs Hospital
Flinders Nursing student, Megan Whitmee and her Nurse Preceptor James Fowler on placement in the Emergency Department, Alice Springs Hospital

Students on placements in the NT and their supervisors are receiving increased support from Flinders NT through an expansion in Commonwealth funding. The aim of this workforce support is to enable an increase in rural and remote placements in the Northern Territory. Research has shown that positive placement experiences increase the likelihood of later recruitment to remote and rural areas.  Key to the experience for students is quality supervision and preceptorship, as well as safe and affordable accommodation and good lines of communication.

The support includes managing logistics for students, universities, and supervisors to ensure excellent experiences; supervisor training and support; subsidised accommodation, use of Flinders computer facilities, study and socialising spaces, cultural awareness training and orientation activities. In addition allied health and nursing students enrolled in Flinders and CDU programs are eligible for a stipend to assist with placement expenses.

New innovations in Central Australia at the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs include student networking sessions and the development of new nursing placement opportunities in Tennant Creek. Activity in the Top End, including Katherine and Nhulunbuy includes consultations and discussions with key stakeholders including CDU, Top End Health Service, the Department of Health and supervisors of existing student placements.

 

The Flinders NT Student Placement Team

Top End
Dr Narelle Campbell: Assoc Prof, Academic lead, Community and Social Accountability
Heather Kirk: Student Support Officer, Darwin
Amanda Read: Student Support Officer, Katherine
Gemma Porteous: Student Support Officer, Nhulunbuy
Top End Enquiries: fnt.placements@flinders.edu.au

Central Australia
Annie Farthing: Lecturer in Remote Allied Health
Jessie Anderson: Nursing Lecturer
Sheree Zadow: Student Support Officer, Alice Springs
Pene Curtis: Student Support Officer, Tennant Creek
Central Australia Enquiries: crh.placements@flinders.edu.au
Find out more about student placements in Central Australia

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Flinders NT