International Nurses Day – A Vision for Future Healthcare

Happy International Nurses Day for 2021! 

This year the theme for International Nurses Day (IND) is a vision for future healthcare. On IND we reflect on the intense strain that the global health crisis had on our healthcare professionals. This strain is being felt all over the world and in regional Australia, where nurses and healthcare practitioners are now in demand more than ever. It is predicted that regional areas will need more than 85,000 nurses, healthcare and social assistance professional by 2023.

It is inspiring to see that across the CUC network there are so many students going back to university to become a Nurse or healthcare professional. In 2021, 28% of CUC students are currently studying a health-related degree, while 18% are studying Psychology, Social Work & Community Service. Most of our students are already working within their local hospital or healthcare services, contributing positively to the workforce needs of their region.

We are proud of our healthcare students who are already working in our hospitals and surgeries and have already helped so many of their local community. Across our Centres we have seen an increasing interest in healthcare degrees with CUC Far West having 35% of their student cohort studying health, 22% of students at CUC Western Riverina, 29% at CUC Goulburn, 16% at Snowy Monaro, 38% at CUC Clarence Valley and 24% at CUC North West.

It was also incredible to see that CUC Far West had 22 of their 2019-2020 students graduate from a variety of healthcare degrees. These degrees included Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Health Science (Aboriginal Mental Health), Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Midwifery, Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care, Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Health, Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, Master of Disability Studies (Education), Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Masters of Counselling.

Student Story

We spoke to Jayde, a CUC student and future regional nurse, about why country healthcare workers are so critical within our local communities and how we should celebrate them this IND.

“Country healthcare workers are so important in our town because they must have such a broad skill set and range of knowledge across so many different fields of health. These workers must cover all bases within regional healthcare services. Sometimes they are the only point of call within large a country area. For example, most country Midwives are also Registered Nurses and work on several wards on their shifts. Without these professionals, most communities would not have access to a wide range of health services and quality care.”

  “I love rural nursing. The community and colleagues that you get to work with are so genuine and welcoming. I am currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology with the plan to return to my final year of nursing next year. I am hoping that the skills I acquire from both degrees will assist me in nursing in a technology-based post-pandemic world. I hope to be able to use these IT skills to improve communities’ access to health services.”

 “It is so important that we appreciate our local nurses this International Nurses Day by saying thank you. Nurses are not in the job for praise, they are there to help, they are born helpers. So, saying thanks will resonate with them, and maybe buy them a coffee!”

Student Story

CUC Nursing and Healthcare students are shaping the future of our regional healthcare system and so we talk to Jaimie, a CUC Nursing student, to find out how she found the Bachelor of Nursing and what nursing means to her.

“I am a mother of four, who has had a successful 23-year career as an NSW Police officer. After leaving NSW Police I had the need to continue to help people and lead people… from there I found the Bachelor of Nursing. I chose to complete the Bachelor of Nursing opposed to the Diploma of Nursing due to increased support that was offered through CSU and the CUC.

My original thought when starting the course was to specialise into Midwifery. I feel it is an absolute honour to be involved in not only the birth of a child, but also the care during pregnancy and the care of the mother and family.

The most rewarding part of the course has been meeting people from all over Australia that have a combined goal in caring for people, genuinely helping people living better lives, and providing the best nursing care for all walks of life.”

Want to register with your local  CUC Bass Coast. Registration is  free and provides you with a quiet, dedicated space to study – Register here!