More nursing students to be paid $28 an hour to work in strained hospitals in huge healthcare boost

In a move aimed at relieving pressure on Victoria’s healthcare system, 1000 nursing students will be paid to work in strained hospitals across the state.

Premier Dan Andrews visits Sunshine Hospital patient Christine Templar. She is one of many patients who may be helped by the student army. Picture: David Geraghty

Victoria’s struggling healthcare system will receive a huge boost with 1000 nursing and midwifery students set to be deployed across almost 30 hospitals.

Working under the supervision of a registered nurse or midwife, students will help with showering, feeding and transferring patients.

Over time, they will be given the opportunity to take on more complex tasks, such as monitoring vital signs, testing blood glucose levels and dressing minor wounds.

Midwifery students will be given additional opportunities to help on maternity wards to deliver care and support to new mums and their babies.

The program will be offered to registered second and third year nursing and midwifery students.

They will gain registration through the national body and offered a part time job, earning up to $28 an hour.

It is the biggest ever boost to the program, which has seen about 3000 students work in hospitals in the last seven years.

Premier Daniel Andrews announces the expanded nursing student army plan. Picture: David Geraghty

Prior to the pandemic, just six health services across Victoria were employing students.

Now, the positions will be offered at 29 health services including Alfred Health, Austin Health, Barwon Health, Eastern Health, Melbourne Health, Monash Health, Northern Health, Peninsula Health and Western Health.

The Royal Children's Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Latrobe regional Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre will also host students.

Daniel Andrews said there was “far more” than 1000 students enrolled in Victorian universities.

The Premier said there was potential the demand for the program would exceed the number of roles available.

“We will have no difficulty finding these students - we’ve never had any challenges,” he said.

“They will be progressively - based on the needs of individual health services and the preferences of individual students - on the wards doing this work, assisting our fully qualified nurses, gaining that amazing and invaluable experience, and finishing up with money in their pocket doing this part time job rather than another part time job.”

Mr Andrews said the program is a “common sense” and “practical” initiative.

“We know there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of challenge in our health system at the moment and that’s because we’ve got so many staff who are always sick,” he said.

Premier Andrews talks with nurses at Sunshine Hospital. Picture: David Geraghty

“Our nurses, hospitals and universities all agree this student employment model is making a real difference.

“(It gives) our experienced nurses extra support and our students the experience to deliver the best possible care.

“Buildings don’t treat patients, equipments don’t treat patients, our dedicated, highly skilled, highly compassionate, highly motivated staff are the people who provide that treatment and care.”

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the program is just one way to relieve pressure on the system.

“It’s important to know that students are working to the skill level that they have already acquired as student nurses and student midwives,” she said.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said the program was cut during the four year term under the Bailleau Liberal government.