ANMF (Vic Branch) Council has awarded more than $1.3 million to members in the latest round of course fee grants. This is a notable increase on the $740,000 awarded to members in 2020–2021 fee grants round.
The course fee grants are available to support members completing specialist post-registration or post-graduate nursing or midwifery education. Grants cover up to 80 per cent of tuition costs. The significant figure in 2021–2022 was approved due to an unparalleled increase in applications, resulting in grants being awarded to a record 423 members undertaking postgraduate education in clinical areas of greatest need, including:
- perioperative or peri-anaesthesia nursing
- palliative care nursing
- renal nursing
- critical care nursing (intensive care unit/emergency/neonatal intensive care unit)
- addictive behaviours
- aged care
- postgraduate midwifery
- mental health nursing
- maternal and child health.
A further 45 applicants studying outside the preferred specialist criteria also receiving assistance. These members were studying in the streams of cardiac, neuroscience, paediatrics, sexual health, plastics reconstruction, medical, surgical and diabetes.
There was a significant increase in applications in this round for maternal and child health nursing (69 successful applicants), midwifery (52) and mental health nursing (37). Other popular areas of study included intensive care (68 members) and perioperative nursing (36). Twenty-nine members received grants for their study in cardiac nursing, 28 for emergency nursing and 22 for critical care.
Of those studying critical care, more than half are based in regional Victoria. Across all recipients, almost one third are based in regional Victoria.
Across all applicants, the total amount award to members was $1,384,188.
How does this compare to previous years?
The course fee grants were introduced in 2018 and have proved popular, with the annual amount allocated growing every year due to demand and need.
In that first year, there were 102 successful applicants, who received almost $350,000. In 2018–2019, we awarded 114 members financial assistance totalling just over $485,000. The following year, 193 members received funding of more than $685,000. In 2020–2021, grants of almost $740,000 went to 221 members.
The next round
Applications for the 2022–23 fee grants will open in January 2023, with expanded course eligibility.
ANMF encourages all eligible enrolled and registered nurses and midwives undertaking study to apply. You are eligible to apply if you have been an ANMF (Vic Branch) member for at least two years – including as a student or RUSON/M member – and you continue to be a member throughout your course.
