ANMF continues to work with the Department of Health to ensure final year nursing and midwifery students have access to their required clinical placement hours to graduate in time to register in 2022 and participate in graduate nurse and midwife programs.
A recent student member survey revealed students had an average of 621 hours to complete this year to meet the minimum 800 clinical placement hours to be eligible to graduate. These results were brought to the attention of the department to remedy with education providers and health services.
The department has informed ANMF that it is working closely with education providers and health services to ensure a swift recovery from the disruption caused by COVID-19. Education providers have been requested to identify how student placements have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what remedial actions are required to support those affected. This information will be used in departmental discussions with relevant health services to ensure there are additional student placement opportunities within expected timelines for graduation.
Additionally, the recent 2021-22 Victorian State Budget provided $13.2 million across the next two years to fund health services to provide additional student placements. Known as the ‘Boosting our healthcare workforce’ initiative, this funding will help ensure current students can graduate on time.
After successfully ensuring minimal disruption for final year students in 2020, the Branch is confident for another positive resolution for our student members in 2021.
ANMF will continue to monitor and advocate for swift resolution to ensure all Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery and Diploma of Nursing students aren’t negatively impacted.
The Branch thanks student members for completing the survey which assisted us with departmental discussions.
Need assistance
All ANMF members, including student members, can seek ANMF advice and support for an issue via Member Assistance. Issues may include your contract, pay or entitlements, personal protective equipment, rostering or working for more than one employer.
Students can access tailored, free counselling, support and referral
If you feel like you are not coping, need to talk or extra support, contact the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria. It’s free, confidential, and independent counselling and support service run by nurses and midwives. NMHPV encourages students to call sooner rather than later. Call 9415 7551 or email admin@nmhp.org.au.
Invite your fellow students to join ANMF (Vic Branch)
ANMF encourages all nursing and midwifery students to invite your classmates to join the union. Undergraduate nursing and midwifery students and enrolled nursing students are all eligible to become members of the ANMF.
