I am about to apply for a job and if I am the successful applicant it means I have to do the graduate certificate in child and family health which is perfect as I have wanted to head this way for a while. I love the hospital by I am sick of the shift work and trying to fit the family in around my roster.

Anyway If I get the job I can choose which course to do and I know there are several around but the best one is through UTS. My main questions are cost involved with the different courses and length of time away from the family.

Are you working through a community centre that requires you to do the training or are you doing is voluntarily with the plan to work in the area afterwards?

Is the studying difficult time wise with a young family?

In Victoria to be a Maternal and child health nurse you must be a Registered nurse and Midwife first before being able to do the course. So I am doing the course to allow me to have a 9 - 5 mon fri job.

As a full fee paying student it is very $$$$ I think was about 18k for the course. This could be defered onto HECS if you were an Australian Citizen if you were not fees had to paid up front per semester. Commonwealth supported places brought costs down to around 6k for the course. Same as above could be defered to HECS if AU citizen or could be paid per semester.
I received 2 sponsorships 1 via council and 1 from Govt which covers all my costs for the course.

It is full on and crazy with young kids as I have had to put them into CC 1 day a week so I can do placements that are unpaid, i am up very late everynight doing uni work and then off course I am tired and cranky at kids during the day. I have been part time over 2 years. My course is majority online with very little face to face time. It requires lots of sacrifice and sleep deprivation! But doable

If it is a job that wants you to have the qualifiction they may pay for the course for you and help and support you with time for study.

Good luck feel free to ask any more questions.