Charles Darwin University Practice Suite

Charles Darwin University Practice Suite

New CDU Melbourne Clinical Practice Suite Increases Access to a Career in Nursing

In July, Charles Darwin University launched a new clinical practice suite in Melbourne to support its popular online nursing degree.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) offers the Bachelor of Nursing Pre-Registration degree online to people who are not able to attend a university course regularly on campus, because of where they live, or their current family or work commitments. 

Charles Darwin University's Head of the School of Health, Professor Rose McEldowney, said, 'Students in the CDU Nursing degree are required to complete one week intensive practical experience blocks. The new CDU Clinical Practice Suite on Franklin Street in Central Melbourne enables our external students to complete their practical training closer to home. Previously, CDU only had dedicated practice suites in Darwin and Alice Springs."

CDU Melbourne has a state-of-the-art hospital ward that includes nine hospital beds with simulation mannequins. Equipment ranges from ECG machines, resuscitation and life support equipment, through to wound dressings. The facility also includes teaching spaces and student amenities.

From a survey completed on CDU's -My Next Life Blog', over 36% of the people interested in nursing are looking to make a difference in the world and 24% are looking to find more fulfilling work in their NextLife. The CDU Bachelor of Nursing Pre-Registration degree is designed to meet their needs.

Professor McEldowney said, 'Many people in the middle of their working lives are attracted to nursing as an alternative career that will give them greater personal satisfaction and fulfillment.  This sometimes results from a personal or family health incident that has given them fresh insights into what nurses do and the important role they play."

'From an employment perspective, the frequently expressed concern about the current and future shortage of nurses, particularly in regional areas, indicates nurses will always be in demand. CDU Nursing graduates are considered to be responsive, resourceful, and resilient."

Online courses have the benefit that they can be planned to give students flexibility to study at their own pace and around their -must-do' day-to-day activities. Because of its location in the Northern Territory, CDU has gained extensive experience in distance health education and in delivering courses online. Importantly, this includes personal interactions online with teachers and other students so a student does not feel isolated. 

According to Professor McEldowney, 'Most of our students are over 30, studying online and part-time. They choose CDU because we offer them the flexibility and support to balance study with their existing commitments."

The new CDU Melbourne facility will be ready for students who enroll in the CDU Nursing degree in Semester 2, 2013 that commences on 22nd of July.  Applications for mid-year admission are closing soon. Anyone interested should visit http://www.cdu.edu.au/melbournenursing for details, and to apply to start in July.