I need to do something with my life....

So at the moment I'm a little down on my life... yes I'm a mother... a great mother but my career has been up and down, this way and that way... I want to settle down and do something meaningful with my life... I want to start training...

I "WAS" thinking being a Teacher's Aide... I've done childcare before and have decided that if I was to do something with children I'd want to do be slightly older children.

However over the last week and alot since I completed my first aid two days ago I'm dreaming BIG TIME about becoming a nurse... but have no idea where to start as I'm a New Zealander and not done any training over here in Australia... I don't believe I can get a student loan here so need to know alot more details

I need some direction... I need to know what's involved and how to get there...

I'm 28 and didn't finish high school, I haven't had the best experienced in training before but that was due to the course being by correspondence and I now believe I am ready to tackle my life and get where I WANT TO BE!!!!!

Please any suggestions, advice would be so much appreciated

I'll have a look around at things for you (I've way too much uni experience LMAO!), and come back with some answers.

I also wanted to give a great big hug to you and some encouragement and congratulations. It's scary and exciting isn't it! My partner is 29, never finished year 11 or 12, and is now at home with our daughter and studying bookkeeping/accounting at TAFE. She thought she's be bad at it, or it'd be too hard but she is working really hard and surprising herself. Not me though, I knew she could do it ;) I think if you put your mind to it, and you really want to do it, you can :D

Ok. I've had a look at the USQ site. As a NZ citizen living in Australia, they consider you a domestic student, and say that you are eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place, which means the government will pay a portion of your fees and you are liable for the rest, BUT you aren't eligible for a HELP-HECS loan so you need to pay the fees upfront.

Wuote from the USQ site... Student contribution amount

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Student contribution amount

The student contribution amount is the financial contribution Commonwealth supported students make towards their higher education.

For eligible students this charge is either paid up-front or deferred through a government loan (HECS-HELP) and paid later through the Australian Tax Office once a student's yearly wage reaches a government determined threshold.
How much are student contribution amounts?

Student contribution amounts vary depending on the year you commenced your program and in what courses you enrol.

Actual student contribution amounts are available for each USQ course via the 2010 Course Fee Finder, or you may access the student contributions by band for commonwealth supported students.
Am I entitled to any discounts?

If you are an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa, the options are available to:

*
pay up-front and receive a 20% discount
*
make a partial up-front payment of $500 or more and receive a 20% discount, with the remainder deferred through the Australian Tax Office.

Can I defer my student contribution?

The options available to you when paying your student contribution, depend on your citizenship or residency status:

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa

If you fall into this category you are eligible for Government assistance called HECS-HELP. You can either:

*
defer payment of your student contribution and pay it later through the Australian Tax Office once your yearly wage reaches a government determined level
*
pay up-front
*
make a partial up-front payment and defer the balance to HECS-HELP

New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian Permanent Residency visa living in Australia

If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent resident visa (with the exception of permanent humanitarian visa holders) you will be required to pay your student contribution up-front as you will not qualify for a HECS-HELP loan. Up-front payments will not attract a discount. Failure to make your upfront payment by the census date will result in cancellation of your enrolment.

New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian Permanent Residency visa living outside Australia

If you are a New Zealand citizen or the holder of an Australian permanent residency visa and live outside Australia you are not eligible for a Commonwealth Supported place and must pay full fee tuition/direct fees.

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I had a look and as a Commonwealth Supported student, it ends up being about $650 per subject. So a nursing degree would end up about $16,000. That probably seems daunting BUT if you think about it in weekly payments... one semester is 13 weeks. So if you were paying for one subject weekly, that's about $50 a week. So to study part-time (2 subjects) is $100 a week per semester.

I'll keep looking around and come back :)

Thank you so much for your help... it doesn't help when researching that I'm on dial up speed for the next few days (first time ever that we have reached our cap)

I'm super excited that I'm heading somewhere... however I don't want to mention it to family yet as I don't want to let them down if it turns into something I can't do... due to financially being able to afford to pay for the training or due to my previous education levels not being at the required level...

Have a look into enrolled nurse courses. Great way to get started with a qualification in the field before continuing on to become a registered nurse.

If you need a Tertiary Preparation course USQ offer that as well... actually all uni's do but I know a lot about USQ when I was helping a friend research :) It is call Tertiary Preperation program and is free for Australian and New Zealand citizens :)
Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP)

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Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP)

We have created the Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP), a free program that gives you all the skills you need to undertake your degree. It also guarantees you entry to a USQ undergraduate (first) degree.

The TPP is offered via distance education or on-campus at any of our three campuses* (Toowoomba, Springfield or Fraser Coast). This means that you can complete the program around your work and life commitments, study at your own pace and at a time of day or week that suits you.

* Not all courses are available at each campus. When your application is submitted staff will let you know if the courses you need to study are available on-campus.
Am I eligible?

There are no formal entry requirements however you will need to be at least 18 years of age in the year of enrolment.
How much will it cost?

No fees are charged - all places offered in the TPP are fee-free.
How do I apply?

To apply for the TPP you will need to complete an application form:

* Domestic students - the Domestic student TPP application form (PDF^ 191 KB)
* International students - the International student application form

To assist staff in determining your level of reading comprehension, written expression and mathematical understanding, you will also need to complete the:

* Communication Test (C Test) (PDF^ 1.2 MB), and
* Maths Test (M Test) (PDF^ 281 KB)

You will need to submit your application to study TPP by the closing date.
When can I start?

You can start the TPP in Semester 1 (March), Semester 2 (July) or Semester 3 (November).
What will I study?

Information on the Tertiary Preparation Program and the courses (subjects) you will need to complete is available within our programs and courses guide.
How much time will it take per week?

On average, you will need approximately 8-12 hours per week for each single unit point TPP course in which you enrol however the time you need to allocate will depend on your individual skills and prior knowledge.
How will I be assessed?

The way you are assessed for a grade varies for each course (subject). To complete your course, you usually have to send in several assignments by the due dates. Details will be provided in your study package. Completed assignments are returned to you with a grade and helpful comments to further assist your learning.

Exams are held at the end of each semester and usually take place during work hours. Timetables are sent out in advance so you can make time for the exam. USQ organises exam centres all over Australia and overseas so you can sit for exams at a centre near your home.
How long will it take to finish?

This will depend on what you want to achieve and your needs. Generally full-time study for one semester will gain you entry to a degree program. If you just want to test your ability to undertake tertiary study, or want to refresh your knowledge of mathematics or science, one course may be enough.

However direct undergraduate entry to USQ and eligibility for a fee-free place is dependent on you completing the core courses and any other courses that are required for entry to a particular program.
Contact us

If you have any further questions please contact us.

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That answers my next question, thanks Meow... was just about to ask if I needed to complete something like the Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) (HLT51607)

This qualification covers the application of nursing skills and knowledge required to be eligible for enrolment** with state/territory nursing and midwifery regulatory authorities (**or registration as a Division 2 Nurse in Victoria).

Which is done via TAFE... that takes two years, will it take another 3 years after that to complete a Bachelor of Nursing to becoming a registered nurse? or is it cross credited?

Oh yes good thinking meow! Forgot TAFE offered that :) Looks like it's a shorter course, and a bit cheaper ($7500). If you went on to uni, having the TAFE qualification would take a year off a nursing course.

Thanks :-) I've been trying to find info on the likes and dislikes of nursing... but so many things are about dislikes.... and they are all american... found a few blogs I've been checking out to give me more of an idea and I'm reallying taking to the idea of training to becoming a nurse... I really think this may be the direction I need in my life...

Hi Danielle

I am currently waiting to hear if I will be accepted onto a dual nursing/midwifery degree in Victoria. I am an Australian citizen, but like you am from overseas and have not studied since high school. I took a STAT test which will hopefully give me a good uni enter score, and I know if I was applying for TAFE I would have needed to do the same thing. It's like an IQ test (find out the results tomorrow *gulp* so if you have not studied for a while this might be a good first step QTAC - Applying - Non-Year 12 - Alternative Entry.

Good luck!

Trav
xx