UQ Nursing and Midwifery achieves a first globally

The UQ School of Nursing and Midwifery is the first School of Nursing and Midwifery outside Canada to receive international accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) for its Bachelor of Nursing program.

The successful accreditation will enable UQ Nursing graduates looking to live and work internationally to seek registration as a nurse in Canada.

Prior to the accreditation of the UQ Bachelor of Nursing, the registration process for UQ-educated nurses seeking registration in Canada was not a simple process due to the discrepancies in accreditation of nurse training and education programs between the two countries.

A mutual recognition agreement between the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in the United States will mean that UQ-educated nurses who become registered in Canada will also be eligible to seek registration within the United States.

According to the Head of School, Professor Catherine Turner, the accreditation from CASN is quite an achievement for UQ and its School of Nursing and Midwifery.

“The School is incredibly pleased and honoured to receive this international first,” Professor Turner said.

“We commenced the accreditation process about two years ago.

“While it was initially a slow and costly endeavour, the School is now able to continue the accreditation process into the future.

“The Canadian accreditation will benefit UQ educated nurses and current students who would like to expand their scope of practice through working in either Canada or the United States.

“UQ really is preparing graduates for a global health workforce."

Media contact: Lya McTaggart, lya.mctaggart@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 5084