Nursing/Midwifery students (or wannabes LOL)....

Katkins, I'm sorry about the troubles with your DH. But I totally hear you about Sociology. I did it 3 times. The first time I dropped out after being accussed of plagerism on an assignment I actually didn't do any research for. Turns out half my step mother's class were accused of the same thing the year before. I complained of course and the teacher isn't there any more. Second time I dropped out because I was doing too much and third time I refused to spend any more money on the stoopid course so bit the bullet and finished it.
About politics do you mean hospital politics, government funding politics or nurses politics? After all the nurse politics at my last placement, I have vowed to never return to that hospital as either a patient or a nurse! But unfortunatly, politics is everywhere. I've learnt to ignore what I can, I keep away from the "bad eggs" on wards (once I work out for myself who they are) and keep in mind why I'm there. I love looking after people and I actually enjoy most aspects of nursing so I guess I can overlook certain things. Plus, I love the fact that there are so many areas of nursing so I am always bound to find something that suits me. There's community nursing (RDNS), being a nurse in a GP's office, being a nurse on production sets or in remote areas like the mines, Royal Flying Doc Service. I love it. I can't wait to get out there and start spreading my wings in all those areas! And if I ever get sick of nursing, I'll just swap over to the ambulance serivce!
If you've completed 2.5 years of your RN, you should be able to enrol with the nurses board as an EN and work as one in any number of areas (not restricted to nursing homes). If you don't want to finish your degree, that's another option. And I believe they get paid ok money too.
Good luck with what ever you decide.

MG

Tegan, thanks for the info. I haven't really had a chance to have a good look at it yet, but I'm sure it's fine :)

I rang re registering as an enrolled nurse. They said you can't do that unless you actually do the EN course so I can't even work as an EN. My only option is to work as an AIN or CSE.

Hi Liana,
I started studying my Masters of Midwifery and left with only one subject to go because I was the same as you and really didnt feel like I was 'supporting' the woman like I wanted too. I also studied to become a Doula through Optimum Birth and havent looked back since. I absolutely LOVE being a Doula and would recommend it to everyone who wants to support a woman through pregnancy and birth without all the hospital/medical issues.
Claire (Belly to Baby)

Tegan... Thank you so much for emailing me the info pack, it is really interesting.

MotherGoose.... I PASSED SOCIETY AND CULTURE :D I got a P1 for all my journal entries and a P1 for my essay. I am so glad that I can put that subject out of my mind.

I think the problem with society and culture is that it involves soooo much written work, like Katkins, I also had a boring lecturer but instead of talking in a monotone, my lecturer was way tooo excited about the subject and each lecture was filled with 1 hour of reallllllly looooong words, so after trying to get my head around all the ridiculous words he was using I couldnt remember a thing that he said. I still dont know what 'homogeny' or 'autoreflexsivity' means and he was determined that we should make them a part of our daily vocabulary!!!!


Katkins...Can you re-enrol in the nursing degree and get credits for all the work you have already done and finish it? I don't know how all that works but at least you wouldn't waste all the work you have already put in??

Mummabear.... Do you find it hard to get clients as a doula, are you working for yourself (running your own doula business) or do you work for someone who gets all the clients for you?? I am considering doing the doula course but I live in SA and doulas are relatively unheard of here. I was telling my GP about the course the other day and even she had never heard of a doula! So my main concern is if I am going to be able to get the clients and how to go about getting them. I think getting the word out is going to have to be my first point of focus, maybe by getting a story in the newspaper and advertising in all major hospitals. I am worried that I won't be able to find enough work to make it my only occupation, but it would be hard to work another job around being a doula as you can't schedule childbirth into a roster? How does it work for you??

Congratulations Lisa! That is fantastic news! Any other results in yet?

Congratz on passing Lisa! Well done.

MummaBear...I'm so glad you've found doula-ing such a joy! :) I'm procrastinating w/ my last little bit of the course....it's getting into lots of reading, and I'm mainly just learning to set up business now...it's like I'm freakin' out 'cause I'm knowledgable enough to get crackin', haha...it's sorta scary, feeling the responsiblity of it all...but I'm also so very excited, and just can't wait! :) I still feel a huge desire to become a midwife though...it's been calling me for many years...since I was 12 or so, and I just want to change the system from within, you know? I have fantasies of being a midwife people write about, who changes society by being real! I'm currently reading 'The Midwife's Tale' by Nicky Leap and Billie Hunter, and it's so interesting! It talks about the time before midwives had to be registered... the 'Handywomen', who were often drinkers but often great favourits with clients. lol....that made me laugh...I don't agree w/ attending a women while drunk, but I agree that most (good) midwives really have a great personality...are peoples people, are fun, and free-spirited, and supportive of everyone. I was into being a (blues) musician before I got married and had my kids (and lost all ability to write, sing, or play.lol) and...well, I feel just as much excitement and passion towards being in the birth field as I did about the music (except, the birth field is so much more family-friendly! :) ). So I've decided to try to get into midwifery for next year...I just have to give it a shot, otherwise, I'll be forever wondering "what if?"..........and, yes, I already feel that way about the music, some days. :)

Hi Everyone,

Yes being a Doula is absolutely the most rewarding job ever invented, and yes Lisa, it is still really unheard of which is really sad. Fortunately the word is slowly spreading and I have been able to get 3 clients within the last couple of months. So if you are looking for a full time career, it is not going to happen overnight. I do run my own business. I called it Belly to Baby - Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Doula Support. I had a baby 7 months ago myself, so I am only now really knuckling down and getting myself promoted. I have a friend who is doing a website for me and my husband and I are organising to get the business name printed in HUGE stickers and stuck across our car. A good way to advertise dont you think? I am going to have on the car, Are you pregnant? and mention something about hire a doula!! and ofcourse the website address. So at least if women dont know what a Doula is, they will know its something to do with pregnancy and hopefully have a look at the website and go WOW!!.

Liana, you will love being a Doula. I studied 3/4 of my Midwifery and never went back after discovering the life of a Doula. When I go to see my clients it is basically like having a coffee and a great chat and getting paid for it!! I spent almost 2.5hours today talking to my client and the time just flew by! I managed to calm her nerves about a few things and she was smiling and happy when I left. It just makes you feel like you have really achieved something and changed someones life over a cup of coffee!. It is very rewarding. As a midwife you will duck in and out from patient to patient, and not really get to know the woman, where as a Doula is part of the whole pregnancy and birth and is there to support the woman every step of the way and also be there to help them after they have the baby. I guess being a Doula you get to see the whole story and not just one chapter as you would as a Midwife. I find this so much more rewarding!.

However as Lisa mentioned, the births arent exactly scheduled and it can be difficult with two little ones at home too. Luckily I have a very supportive mother who is here when I need her. I also work as a Mothercraft Nurse and help mums with their babies. For example, I have a job coming up Mid Aug and will stay at the families house throughout the night from 6pm to 6am and do all the newborn care. (luckily the pay is FANTASTIC!!) However I also have a client who is due mid Aug, but my Mothercraft Nurse client is very happy for me to go to the birth when I need too. So basically, it all works out in its own little way!!.

MummaBear...yes, that's one thing I love about the doula, that we support the woman, not the system. If I get into midwifery, I'll certainly continue doula work (while a student midwife), and when I have gained enough experience, I will become an independent midwife. If I knew I'd just be hanging out in hospitals my whole life, I'd never do it! But I love the idea of being an independent midwife, to have that responsibility, and to help change the way midwives are portrayed and treated within the birthing system as we know it today. It's all got to change, it's just all such a disgrace at the moment....we've gotta tear down the idea of birth as a medical event. I'm hoping that by becoming a midwife, and while having to work within a hospital setting, I can at least try to decrease the intervention rates, at least, among my clients. That's the frustrating thing about doula work...yes, we help drop intervention rates by supporting the woman, helping her go-with-the-flow, and by educating her of her rights.... but when a woman is in a hospital system, she is just so vulnerable, and so likely to still be taken advantage of by the "health care professionals".... as a doula, we can't directly stick up for her. I want a bit of authority...not over the woman (!), over the system. :)

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!! I just got my first semester results in this morning! I got a High Distinction for Bioscience, and a Distinction for Nursing & the Healthcare system!! Am soooo happy with that, though I dont know how I managed to pull of that grade for the nursing subject... I was convinced I was only going to just scrape a pass!!
Awesome news on passing your assignment Lisa.. that subject sound SCARY (is Society & Culture pretty much the same subject as Sociology?). I certainly wont be looking forward to that one!
Your marking system sounds different down there Lisa & MG, I dont understand it! We have grades 1 - 7.
1 & 2 = fail; 3 = low pass; 4 = pass; 5 = credit; 6 = distinction; 7 = high distinction.

I start back at uni on Monday, am picking up a 3rd subject this semester, so hopefully I can handle it!

Congratulations Ambah! They are great results! Yeah, our system is slightly different. It's done on %. I forget how it's all divided up but a P2 is just pass, P1 is slightly better, then we have Credit, Distinction and High Distinction.

Ambah... CONGRATULATIONS on your results, a HD in Bioscience is fantastic. I don't have my bioscience exam for another 2 weeks (long story) so hopefully i do ok, I got a distinction for the first exam and would like to get the same for the major exam so I get a good overall mark. Yes i think society and culture would be the equivalent to your sociology. I HATED it, but you never know, you may enjoy it. I am going to pick up an extra subject first term next year as i think the two subjects that I have to do are quite easy ones so hopefully I can handle the extra subject.

Mothergoose... I don't have any other results in yet, have to wait until I have done my bioscience exam. Are you an external student? and are you going to be doing midwifery after the nursing degree? Your nearly finished nursing aren't you, how long do you have to go?

Mummabear... your business name is excellent. I hope it is really successfull for you.

Liana.... Good luck with getting into midwifery next year. Are you going to sit the STAT test? Have you thought about putting nursing as your second choice in case you don't get into Mid?

Ambah, congrats on your fantastic test results :) YAY to you!!!

Congratz Ambah! Those are some fantastic marks!!

I girls I have wanted to be a nurse for a long time, since before I had my kids but when I was just out of school I didn't want to do nursing so I did an arts degree instead. Of course now I have had my kids my interest has become midwifery or child health so my plan is to start a Bachelor of Nursing at some time in the future. My mum is a nurse and a midwife and very good at her job so she inspires me - she trained back in the 70s at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane under the nuns and then when I was a teenager she got her Bachelor degree. As I have already completed an undergraduate degree I have the option to do a Bachelor of Nursing for Graduates at QUT but unfortunately it is 2 years full time ( you do prac in your semester holidays) and the timetable is far too heavy for a mum of 2, going on 3, small children. So I am hoping when the new baby is a bit older I can start a part time degree, I am actually looking forward to it when the time comes - I have looked up the subjects on the net and I think I will find it really interesting and challenging. I was almost going to start a Grad Dip in Education this year and become a teacher but I am glad I decided not to do it, as nursing is really what I want to do. I grew up with it and I have a great mentor in my mum!

Ambah - congrats on those fantastic marks! You go girl!

Congratulations Lisa and Ambah on your great results!! :)

Lisa...I haven't yet figured out exactly how I'm going to get in...the uni has an open day on 5th August, so I'm going to ask questions then. I don't know.....how best do you think I should go about it? I completed my VCE however many years ago (I'm 25...for a few more weeks! lol). I only did four subjects though, and all arts subjects, so I don't have maths...and although I was an A-average student, my ENTER score was only 64 or something...I can't remember exactly what....but I assume they wouldn't take such an old ENTER score into too much consideration, provided I passed my VCE?? I went to uni for a while, started an arts degree....and drank my way through living at college, and only passed half my first semester classes and then stayed enrolled but didn't even attend second semester. (clearly I was not ready for uni!!lol)...I was disillusioned by university.....I thought that it'd be a chance to think for myself, offer up ideas, sit on the grass and play guitar, etc. You know.lol. So I just partied instead. But anyway, that was a life-time ago, really, and I'm grounded and intelligent and rady to go!! I hope they don't punish me for a past failure.

I don't think I'll put nursing down as a second preference...I really just want to be a midwife, and the two things are very different...I have no interest for nursing, and don't think I could handle it. I have a great respect for people who can deal with looking after the sick and injured, but I just couldn't do it.

I had a bit of a think last night and decided that I am probably not going to apply this year. I am enjoying being a birth attendant too much, and I would like the maternity world to progress a bit more before I work in it - I would get too frustrated at the moment! I also want to be here for my son going through kinder, like I have for Marisa, then after they have gone to school, I think I will for the knowledge, and then perhaps work privately.

Yes, Kelly...me too...I'll absolutely become an independent midwife, it's the only way we can change things, really, isn't it? I had the same concerns about leaving my children while studying, but I've been assured that there aren't too many hours spent at the uni itself each week, ...and the uni is just up the road from me....so, provided I can find a good family-day-care person, it should work out alright, i think. I'm just wondering how doula work is going to fit in w/ family...my mother works full-time, so I don't have anyone "on call" as such. I think I'll have to find a baby-sitter. It's just 8am-after 5pm, my husband is at work, and family-day-care people don't do "on call" work, unfortunately.

Tegan,

I would love a copy of the brochure too.

Thanks

Really? I heard opposite - I even went to the ACU website and looked up their timetables to see and some classes were all over the place - i.e. one in the morning one just after lunch - so no point going home :( Have also spoken to a few students including Lina Clerke who said it was hell, and she only has one eight (?) year old. I am kinda scared of the whole industry, there is that 'eating their young' mentality and the bMids getting the crap they are from some places too. It's all new, and I think it needs some streamlining :) I also dont know how it will work with being a birth attendant, as you have to do all those follow-throughs and I have no idea how that will work with paid birth too...

Liana... I am currently doing the Bachelor of Nursing and like you I have no intention of becoming a nurse, I don't have any desire to work with sick people (although i highly rate people who do) but the only reason that I suggested the nursing as a second preference is because Midwifery is reaaaaaly popular and there aren't many places available so unless you get an extremely high entrance score you might not get a place.
I finished school 10 years ago (I'm 29) and I had to sit the STAT test (entrance exam) to get into uni. High school scores aren't considered unless they are from the year you are applying. I was only going to put Midwifery as my choice of subject but when I spoke the the head of Midwifery at the Uni before I applied she suggested I also put nursing as a second preference and if I complete that I can then do a 1 year Midwifery course. That means that all going to plan I will have a Nursing Degree and a Midwifery Degree and may have a better chance at getting a job over someone who only has midwifery (and better pay rate as I would have more qualifications). I really would have preferred to just do midwifery but I don't really have any other choice, If i want to do it this is the only way.

I don't have many contact hours at Uni at all. I am doing it part time and contact hours are only 8 per week. The lectures aren't compulsory and lots of students don't go to them and still do really well. I choose to go to all the lectures as I dont want to do a half assed job and get slack. The tutorials and practicals are the only classes that are strictly compulsory and they only make up 4 hours each week. As Kelly mentioned the roster is all over the place, last semester on Wednesdays I had a 5 hour break in between classes and since i live over an hour away it dosen't reallly make sense to go home in the breaks, but it is handy for getting lots of homework done. Luckily I have a helpful husband and my two younger kids love going to daycare and the two older kids love going to after school care and since I just love having a couple of days a week being kid-free it really works out well for my family.

Kelly...yeah, i know...I would only do a bit of doula work while studying, and then would have to give it up for awhile while first working, really. I know, the system stinks...but I figure it needs some pushy new midwives to change it! :)

Lisa...yeah, I'm a bit concerned about not getting in....but I really don't think I could do nursing, not even the training. I'll just see what happens. I'm not in a major rush, really...if I don't get in next year, I'll just take it as a sign to have bubba no. 3! haha.

I personally would rather do nursing first then do the midwifery course - firstly, because that is the only way to do it here in qld as there is no BMid yet, but also because it gives me a wider range of career options and the option to go into child health or paediatric nursing if I want, the option to work in community health, just more options in general. And because there are many areas where I believe nursing and midwifery would overlap, particularly in the medical side of things but also in the nurturing side of things. That is why if you have a nursing degree the midwifery course is only 1 year - because you have covered most of it already in your nursing course.

bon - they're some good points. Can a midwife not go into child health if she has done a BM? I assumed that, while not nursing, a three-year midwifery degree would incorporate enough that one could follow through into other areas. That's interesting...I'll have to think about that, as I would like the option of child-health-nurse down the track (I always figured they only give you pretty basic info anyway, they mustn't be actual nurses). I still don't think I could go through the whole ....well, here's a cliche....emptying bed pans thing.

Liana, with midwifery, you cover some of the same subjects as nurses (such as anatomy and physiology) but there are also some major differences.The BM doesn't allow the individual to work as a nurse in other areas like recovery or orthopedics etc. Nurses can't work as midwives because we don't do the childbirth component which is rather lengthy. Looking at and comparing the two degrees which are both offered at my Uni, they are completly different after first year (with the exception of second year science). Even though you don't have any intention of working as a nurse, it is worth considering doing nursing first or doing the double degree (4 years instead of 3) which will give you more options of areas to work in (on the off chance you burn out or get sick of midwifery as can happen), make you more employable and attractive to potential employers as well as entiteling (sp?) you to a higher wage. Nursing isn't all that bad and there is very little pan changing nowadays. I think I've changed maybe 4 bedpans in 6 years. And you don't have to work with "sick" people. You can work in areas like orthopedics which is surgical so people aren't sick in the conventional sense. But which way people go and what they specialise in is highly personal. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

For those of you who are worried about contact time at Uni - you can actually plan your timetable which will maximise follow on classes and reduce waiting around time. I have a friend at ACU in Vic who goes to Uni 4 days a week only. Also, nursing and mid are both offered externally through various uni's. The University of South Australia offers both degrees externally which you can also do part time. I am currently doing Nursing externally through UniSA and am more than happy to answer any questions.

MG :)

I have also heard that the role of the nurse has changed heaps over the years, and its definately not just focused on things like changing bedpans, or even making beds (which they dont do at all anymore).
I'm really happy to do nursing first, as I want to be able to have experience in a wider area... we get to choose electives anyway such as 'Introduction to Nursing Children and Childbearing Families' and 'Family and Community Nursing', as well as Mental Health, and heaps of other interesting areas...
I'm actually loving my nursing course and finding it really, really interesting!

As for timetables, maybe its different here in Qld, but I know people that have managed to fit a fulltime uni timetable into 3 days per week (not including clinical placement of course though). Though I dont imagine that would be the case for all semesters - though I'm sure most could be done in 4 days/week.
I am doing a reduced FT load this semester (3 subjects) and only have 2 contact days, plus one lecture on a different evening, but I dont need childcare for that day.

:) thanks for that info, ladies!

So, nursing has changed a lot since my aunts and uncle were students, that's for sure! (that was in the 80's).

MotherGoose......I'm very interested to learne more about doing my degree by distance via the SA uni. Do they have a good website?? sounds great....can you really do the BM via distance? sounds great! Is it seperate as far as places are concerned? Is it still v. competitive? It's just, it sounds like that would be a lot easier to fit in w/ a family, and my doula work.

Hi girls. Ive done half of my nursing degree but deferred the year before last because I was finding it so bloody difficult juggling the pracs with family life! Is it the same for every state? Here we had to do 3x 2 week pracs each semester.

Jo

Jo, at present my Uni does a 3 weeker in 1st year, 2x3 weeks in 2nd yr, 1x3 week + 1x6 weeks in final year although it is all changing next year. I go to the University of South Australia. Each Uni is diff though. There is a nursing school in SA that does 2 days in class and 3 days in the hospital each week.

ETA: Liana - They offer a certain amount of external and a certain number of internal places. Midwifery is always competitive but I don't think many people realise it can be done externally through my Uni so might be easier than other venues? The website is good. I'm not sure if I can post it but it comes up if you google it. On the homepage it has a search option, just type school of nursing and midwifery in and it will come up with the link. The correct uni name is University of South Australia. Let me know if you need a hand.

HTH.

MG

Hi Girls, I'm Dee, Mother of five and wife to one, I did my B of Nursing and registered in 1997. I like to do things the hard way, lol. It took me four years instead of three as I got married and had a baby during what should have been my third year. Although I have been employed by Qld Health since 1993. During Uni I spent all of my holidays as an AIN/student Nusre and worked at Mount Isa Base Hospital, Julia Creek, Doomadgee and Mornington Island. After I registered I continued to work at Mount Isa Base and then Emerald and Dysart Hospitals, from which I have now offically resigned from, sniff, sniff. I started my Grad Dip of Midwifery in 2002, however only finished one semester and deferred due to pregnancy and lack of carers for my children while I went away to do prac. I live 350km inland from Rocky and Mackay and couldn't get anyone to watch the girls for two weeks while I did a prac block. I will finish my mid one day, Townsville Base offers the PAid Midwifery program and I think I will join in in a couple more years.
I love Nursing but my real passion is in Midwifery.

Sorry typing while B/F Nate.

Lisa Are your results in yet? How did you go? I got two Credits and an I - they haven't put my NC6 results up yet although I know I passed. I will prob get a C for that too. Got a P1 in the assignmnet (worth 60%) and a HD in the exam - go figure! I didn't do any of the course work for NC6 so am pretty stoked! Hope you did well. Will be interedted to hear your thoughts on the new program structure once it's released next month....

MG

thanks for that info, MG. I've checked out the info on the site, but they say that most placements end up being in SA and that a student has to take that into consideration, so I don't think I'll go with Distance Ed. I'm thinking of maybe doing a childbirth educators course first, in fact. What are peoples thoughts on that?

Hello Ladies,

I have a thread here called "I have found my calling but not sure if I posted my question in there it would get read...and it will here.
I am facing a dilemma. The same dilemma I have faced 100 times over but I am just still so confuddled.

I want to apply to some uni courses but havent studied for years. I have three options.
- To do my VCE and get a good enter score and apply to the uni's with this( didnt do VCE all thos years ago)
- To do the Cert IV nursing course and then go on to do the nursing/midwifery
- Just apply to all the unis I want...both nursing courses and midwifery courses AND double degrees and hope for the best.

What would you do?

Bear in mind I have not studied since finsishing Year 10 in 1995 and have not got any formal qualifications.

TIA

Would you get into the Cert IV nursing? That might be the easier way to go about it, unless you would like to get your VCE. You could apply at all the unis you want to go to but I am not sure how much success you will have, considering you don't have your VCE. It really depends on their entry requirements. I think if you want to go straight to uni, then you will be better off getting your VCE but if you can get into the cert course you can be studying nursing straight away.

Thanks for the advice :)
As a mature age student they do not require you have your VCE but do like you to have undertaken other studies as well as sitting a seperate exam.

I will get into a tafe course as I am mature age (26) and it is much less competetive. I mean of course there are no guarantees but I have a good shot as far as TAFE goes.

I just dont want to go applying to all these uni's and get knocked back. But if I have more study under my belt then I stand a decent shot. And if I have done the certIV course..then I may not need to sit the seperate exam they require (the STAT)

To be honest I am leaning more towards the Cert IV course. At least I will be studying nursing like you say.

Hi Akeesha,

You're right, a mature age student doesn't have to have VCE to apply for Uni. I am pretty sure that the Uni's (even though they like you to have some sort of qualification) look at your life experience and circumstances when assessing whether or not to accept you to the Uni. I note that you are in Vic... I am pretty sure RMIT focus on mature age students so perhaps give them a call and chat to someone in the school? I was going to suggest popping into the Nursing Expo but it has been and gone. You could go to Uni open days if they are still going (a bit out of touch with when they have those nowadays). You can always apply for Div 2 which is done through TAFE's and Uni's (the beauty of that one is you can often get a venue to "sponser" you which means you paid work, working as a Div 2 student as you study!) and then go on to do Div 1 but you *should* get credit for most of the first year...

Good luck with whatever you decide.

MG :)

Thanks Mother Goose,

Thats pretty much the thought process at the moment. I have been to the uni open days and spoken to heaps of ppl already and thats why I am facing these dilemma's. Becuase even though they 'say' they take you on life experience, when I get to speak to them face to face, they change their story which is very annoying. I mean I am sure ppl have gotten in before based on those reasons, I just would rather be more prepared when going in y/k?
If I do the DIV 2 (cert IV) course then the nursing degree should only take me 2 years instead of 3 and then its just a year or so of mid on top. So it's not too bad. I am pretty sure I can do it that way happily. I have looked into all the different options, its just making the decision thats hard.
To be honest I would rather do it the long way and give myself the best chance at getting in rather than hoping for the best and spending time and money on applications and exams and missing out. Which I may or may not...but it doesnt hurt to be super qualified right lol.
I am only 26 (27 when I begin study) so I have a few years up my sleeve I guess.

Thanks for allowing me to vent here and for the advice. :)

Akeesha,

Just had a thought that might help you make your decision.... If you do your Div 2 I am pretty sure you can claim text books etc on tax when doing Div 1 (but double check witha tax agent first) and if you do the work as a Div 2 and study as a Div 2 at the same time method, your books and materials are definatly tax deductable. Uni fees are not though :(

Good luck! MG :)

Thanks mother goose (havent been here for a while so havent seen the post til now)

I will definitely look into that. I know there are ways I can do a traineeship where I can work and study at the same time. I am definitely thinking about that one.

As for the uni fees..well I will go hecs (or hecs help as it is now called providing I get in when I apply of course)

I have actually spoken with a couple of uni's and they have recommended the cert IV course first so thats pretty much helped cement my decision. And if I dont get into uni right away..at least I can work in the meantime.

Fingers crossed I get a cert IV place. I reckon that is going to be much easier than a uni place for now.

Thanks again :)