UQ injects another healthy dose of nurses and midwives into Queensland

The graduation of more than 150 nurses and midwives from The University of Queensland's School of Nursing and Midwifery this month will continue to boost ranks amongst the Queensland health system.

According to lead educator and Head of the school Professor Catherine Turner, flexible tertiary programs which respond to current national and international health challenges will help meet the State’s current demand for health professionals.

“Since our first graduating class in 2006, UQ has helped to deliver over 600 nurses,, 43 nurse practitioners and over 40 midwives into the health system, thanks greatly to the flexibility of course options available to students,” said Professor Turner.

“UQ offers Queensland’s quickest undergraduate route to becoming a nurse or midwife, with students able to fast track their degree in two and a half years, or complete both degrees in three and a half years," she said.

“Queensland families deserve better quality care and decreased waiting times, so by increasing our choice of programs, we will have successfully reached our goal of delivering another 350 nurses and midwives this year."

One student to take advantage of the flexible fast track option was Bachelor of Nursing graduate and class Valedictorian Angela Moroney.

“I’ve always wanted to be a nurse and after working in a number of health-related areas I finally decided it was time to get my degree," said Ms Moroney.

“As a mother of three the fast track option provided the best opportunity for me to finish my degree six months earlier than I would have normally," she said.

“I hope to use the skills I’ve learned working in the paediatric and child health fields."

Professor Turner congratulated Ms Moroney and her fellow graduates on their success.

“It is an outstanding achievement to be selected as valedictorian and Ms Moroney is a shining example of the intelligence and skill of our future nurses and midwives," Professor Turner said.

“UQ is proud to deliver another cohort of exceptional nurses and midwives into the Australian health system this semester," she said.

Media: Lya McTaggart (School of Nursing and Midwifery) 07 3365 5084 or lya.mctaggart@uq.edu.au