I studied externally through UniSA. I won't get into the politics b/w the difference of nursing and mid BUT will help you out with the placement thing...
The FPO (Field Placement Office) will say they are affiliated with a hospital if they have placed a student at that hospital in the past. Sometimes a venue will host a student and then decide not to do it again. The issue with external placements is that often the hospital is hosting just 1 or 2 students from UniSA at a time which can be somewhat time consuming and draining for the educator. It usually takes the same amount of rescources and time as hosting 10 students from one University but they often seem to find it more difficult with just one student. Not sure why!
Some hospitals are also reluctant to place interstate students for the fear that they will not have physical support from the University. The school provides a facilitator (someone from the Uni who keeps in contact with you to make sure you're ok, meeting learning objectives, being looked after by the hospital etc). For many rural and interstate students, support from the facilitator is over the phone and some hospitals prefer it to be in person. In recent years, the University has been trying to employ people closer to the students physical location so they can "drop in". This isn't always possible though.
You may find that hospitals are less willing to talk and negotiate with the student themselves about organising a placement. I have heard several reports of this from current students. When I was studying, I never had any problems with the hospitals when I contacted them. If you contact the hospital yourself, ask to be put through to the UNDERGRADUATE coordinator. Explain to them that you are an external student with the University of South Australia living in Tas and would very much like to do a placement with that hospital. Some tips for being more likely to get positive response with that hospital are;
Be positive and polite.
Have the proposed dates of the placement to give them but tell them you are flexible (it is not uncommon for students to do their placements "out of sequence" which means at a time other that the proposed Uni Dates. I never did mine at the proposed time).
Have a basic idea of the objectives of the placement to give them and tell them the University will send confirmation paperwork with the contract which provides a full detail of the objectives as well as other important information for the facility.
Tell them you have a keen interest in their hospital with a view to work their after gaining your qualifications (be prepared to answer questions though and have an understanding of their values and philosophies). If they think you're not just "using" them, you're more likely to get a positive response.
Let them know you're excited.
They may not be able to provide you with a placement spot, but they might be able to help you get one at another hospital or give you info on wo might be able to take you. AND, they might be able to take you another year!!!!
Do be prepared that some venues will flat out refuse to talk to the student and will only negotiate with the Uni.
See if you can find other students from the Uni in Tas (there are a couple) and see if they can suggest some venues.
To try and get your follow throughs, talk to some of the people who conduct birthing classes and see if they are happy for you to give them some fliers to had out in classes. We had some handed out in my birthing classes and we contacted them.
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