ANMF has welcomed the Allan Government’s decision to provide ongoing funding of the nursing and midwifery student employment program in public hospitals.
The 2025 state budget announced in May includes ongoing funding for 1001 RUSONs (Registered Undergraduate Students of Nursing) and 99 RUSOMs (Registered Undergraduate Students of Midwifery) at 0.2 EFT.
The announcement recognises the contribution of RUSON/Ms for future workforce development and their impact in supporting the workload of current nurses and midwives.
The program provides an important opportunity for nursing and midwifery students from their second year to work in nursing and midwifery teams above ratios.
The RUSON and RUSOM roles have a consistent statewide position description.
Acting Secretary Maddy Harradence said ‘This program is critical to students’ ability to both earn an income during their studies and gain experience and confidence working in a healthcare service.
‘Research has also shown this experience significantly helps nursing and midwifery students in their transition to working as a graduate nurse or midwife.
‘The program is also supporting workforce retention of early career nurses and midwives,’ Ms Harradence said.
The 2024-28 Victorian public sector nurses and midwives EBA RUSON/RUSOM pay rate is $33.71 per hour (as of 12 May 2025).
History of Victoria’s RUSONs and RUSOMs
During the 2011-12 public sector EBA campaign, ANMF successfully campaigned to stop the Liberal Baillieu government’s plan to replace registered nurses and midwives with health assistants as part of ratios.
Heading into the 2014 election, the then Andrews Labor opposition agreed to revisit the newly renamed ANMF’s above ratio ‘earn while they learn’ student nursing employment program should they win government.
Following their election win, then health minister Jill Hennessy restarted the program and in 2016 the first RUSONs walked onto wards at Monash Health, Alfred Health and Eastern Health for a 12-month trial.
The following year, the trial expanded to include Northern Health and Peninsula Health, with Ballarat Health Services running the first regional pilot beginning in 2018.
By 2021, RUSOMs were on the wards at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Peninsula Health, Bendigo Health and Mercy Hospital for Woman and continues to expand.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the model became an accepted part of Victoria’s healthcare system and a vital part of the pandemic response. RUSONs can now be found in mental health wards, perioperative areas, cardiac units and others specialty areas.
