Nursing graduate Sasha Bailey appreciates the extensive hands-on experience she gained from her studies at The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Broome Campus which has seen her recently receive a graduate position at Royal Perth Hospital.
Ms Bailey undertook clinical placements in the Western Australian towns of Carnarvon, Derby and Geraldton as part of her degree where she worked with nursing teams and acquired the essential balance of theoretical and clinical skills to become well equipped for her vocation.
“Each placement provided me with an insight into life as a professional nurse, in addition to perfecting my ability to handle a number of situations with a rational and ethical mindset,” Ms Bailey said.
With a strong emphasis on practical experience, combined with passionate, friendly and helpful staff, Ms Bailey says Notre Dame gives Nursing students every possibility to succeed in a warm and nurturing learning environment.
“I found it beneficial that Notre Dame’s Nursing students undertake more clinical placement than other universities because I was able to incorporate my classroom knowledge into the day-to-day operations of the practical world,” Ms Bailey said.
The Broome Campus offers a number of pathway courses in Nursing, including the Certificate II Health Support Services and the Certificate III Health Services Assistant to students in Years 10, 11 and 12, and the 18-month Diploma of Nursing study program. Ms Bailey completed both the Certificate III and the Diploma before entering into the Bachelor of Nursing course.
Students from Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra and Derby have successfully completely these pathway courses through on-campus learning and in real-time via Blackboard Collaborate (a web-based classroom) and the specially designed authentic eLearning tool online – The Maryanne Martin Virtual Hospital.
Sally Clark, Assistant Dean of the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Broome, says this learning combination of the eLearning environment and hands-on experiences in the Broome Campus’ Sisters of St John of God Nursing Laboratory, provides a rich set of experiences to prepare students for clinical placement.
“Clinical placements provide students with hands-on learning opportunities to consolidate theory and practise strategies,” Ms Clark said.
“An abundance of opportunities exist for students to engage in a wide variety of clinical experiences throughout the health care system, including hospital wards and acute care, aged care, community health, mental health, rehabilitation, dialysis and in Aboriginal medical services.”
As a result of the highly practical nature of Notre Dame’s Nursing curriculum, Ms Bailey says she has become more confident as she completes her graduate program.
“I have managed to successfully prepare students, perform in-service education sessions and actively participate in ward accreditation and audits. I have received excellent feedback from various nurses at Royal Perth which is testament to the practical experience delivered as part of the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Notre Dame,” Ms Bailey said.