Uni’s plan to fast-track hundreds of new nurses

As many as 250 graduate nurses could begin work at Queensland hospitals by September under a new plan to tackle coronavirus.

UNIVERSITY of Queensland students have responded to the call for help on the coronavirus frontline, with 39 final-year nurses to start at Princess Alexandra Hospital on April 27.

And up to 250 UQ students could be on the job in other major southeast Queensland hospitals by September under a bold plan to fast-track new nurses.

Professor Tracy Humphrey, Head of the UQ School of Nursing, said the 39 students would take much-needed pressure off experienced nurses.

They would begin work as student nurse placements, meaning they could help only with things such as showering, toileting and feeding.

“They’re final year students, so they have a lot of knowledge but can’t do the work of student nurses who assess patient health, give medications, monitor conditions and so on,’’ Prof Humphrey said.

“But that will take a lot of pressure off student and registered nurses.

“They also are unpaid, even though they will work full-time and do their studies online on top of it all, so they won’t place extra financial strain on the hospital system.

“The reception from the students when we raised this idea has been remarkable.

“Given it’s a pandemic, they want to get out there and do their job as soon as they can.

“I’ve also been very impressed with the response from the hospitals who are clearly planning for scenarios where they could have 30 per cent of their staff infected.

“This idea actually came from Metro South (Hospital and Health Service) which approached us.

“They initially wanted to employ the students part time as assistants in nursing.’’

Although QUT and Griffith University produce more nursing students each year, UQ students are highly valued as their course involves more practice hours.

Prof Humphrey said the fast track concept was believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.

“Students have already been identified as a critical component of support for the workforce, with a call for students to take on assistant and cadet positions,’’ she said.

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“However, having more registered nurses in the workforce is vital.

“The partnership with MSHHS is our first step in ensuring fully-qualified and educated staff are able to increase the workforce as swiftly and safely as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.’’

The accelerated pathway has been offered to final year Master of Nursing Studies students at UQ. Nearly 80 per cent of students have taken up the offer.

Upon completion of their studies in August – four months earlier than normal – they will be eligible to apply for registration as a fully qualified nurse and will be employed by health services.

MSHHS director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Veronica Casey, said the partnership was making a valuable contribution to the healthcare sector.

UQ is investigating other areas for accelerated learning pathways for allied health students.