NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Strategy
The NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Strategy was developed as a result of the NSW State Government commitment in 2001 to increase the number of Aboriginal nurses and midwives in rural and remote NSW, and to improve career development opportunities for Aboriginal employees working in the public health system.
Aims
The Strategy aims to improve Aboriginal health by providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to gain education and employment opportunities in the field of nursing and midwifery. It also aims to work with the current NSW nursing and midwifery workforce to provide better health services to Aboriginal people through the delivery of culturally safe and competent nursing and midwifery services.
Expected Outcomes
Providing career opportunities for Aboriginal people in the field of nursing and midwifery can make an enormous impact on the health of Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal people need Aboriginal nurses and midwives working in their local hospitals, community health centres and in senior management positions, for health to improve.
A career in nursing or midwifery offers job opportunities, locally, at a regional level and nationally.
The outcomes of the Strategy will ensure that there is a competent workforce to meet the needs of Aboriginal people, so that all Aboriginal people can enjoy a longer, healthier life, free from disease and illness.
The hand is nurturing and supporting the seed and community. The tree represents the nurses and midwives as they develop personally and professionally in caring for their community, and shows the community growing, as it benefits from the care they are receiving. The tree is sprouting out of the seed, which is the nurses and midwives’ community and cultural identity, which the hand is helping to grow and strengthen.
The word 'dturali' is from the Darug language and means ' to grow'. Aunty Edna Watson (a Darug Elder) provided this word from language she learnt from her mother and grandfather.
Current Programs
NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship Program
Are you an Aboriginal person who wants to study Nursing or Midwifery at University or TAFE?
OR
Are you an Aboriginal person who is currently studying full time nursing or midwifery at university or TAFE?
If YES, do you know that you can apply for financial assistance under the NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Cadetship program?
We recruit twice a year - September & March
What the Cadetship offers?
• Study allowance of $600 per fortnight whilst at university
• Up to 12 weeks full time employment in your local hospital
• Support from an Aboriginal Mentor, Cadet Coordinator and Clinical Preceptor
• Ongoing employment
For further information please contact:
Project Manager
Phone: 1800 155 325 or
Email: aboriginalnursing@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Applications open Monday 5 September and close Monday 31 October 2011
Applications can be downloaded from here.
If you would like to apply for a Cadetship you will need to submit the following:
- Cadetship Application Form (see link above)
- Covering letter describing the following:
- Why you want to pursue a career in nursing or midwifery
- Why it is important to have Aboriginal people working as nurses and midwives
- What hospital you would like to complete your cadetship
- A statement of your Aboriginal | Torres Strait Islander heritage and the Aboriginal Organisations you are a member of.
- Documentation of the following:
- Copy of your resume;
- Confirmation of Aboriginality;
- Full time enrolment in a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree or Enrolled Nurse Training at a Registered Training Organisation i.e. TAFE. (if you are applying for 2011, please submit this when received) and;
- Copy of results (if any) from 2010.
Aboriginal Undergraduate Scholarship Fund
Opens September 2011 - Close November 2011
Scholarships up to $1,000 per subject are available to Aboriginal students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree.
For more information about scholarships please click here
Aboriginal Post Graduate Scholarship Fund
Opens December 2011 - Close March 2012
Scholarships up to $15,000 are available for any Aboriginal Registered Nurses/Midwives undertaking Post Graduate studies.
For more information about scholarships please click here
Aboriginal Post Enrolment Scholarships Fund
Open all year round.
Scholarships are available for Aboriginal Enrolled Nurses who are wanting to complete a VETAB accredited course.
For more information about scholarships please click here
Other Scholarships
There are also scholarships available in other areas. Please refer to the Scholarships website for further information. Click here
Report on the Aboriginal Students' Residential Workshop KATCH 2008.
