Hi Sara.

I am at UQ doing the dual nursing/midwifery course so can answer your q's with my opinion!

How are you finding the course? I don't really like the course, but have my eye on the prize in the end... I did first year nursing at QUT before this and they are so totally different in the structure which I much preferred. Everything in this course such as anatomy and physiology, social behaviours and public health is thrown in altogether. The course is very self directed, I often complain that it is too much like studying externally. There is no "teaching" as such, no lecture/tutorial set up, just lectures. You do a lot of it by yourself and this gives me the feeling that I am not learning as much as I can. Exam at the end of the semester is one exam per unit, they are so very broad and is very hard to study for.

Is it what you thought it would be? Nope.

Do you have a timetable from this year that I could have a look through? It is a four day a week course no if's or buts. You get put into a group (depending on what hospital you are based at) with two days being prac, one day at the hospital where you are based at doing problem based learning and a bit of clinical skills in the mock labs, and then one day out at Ipswich doing lectures. First year's lecture day is Friday, and we had prac on Monday and Tuesday.

If I can help (or scare ) you in any other way, just ask!