Ella Wood says a new course in critical healthcare launched by TAFE NSW in Albury has reignited her desire to pursue a career in nursing. Photo: Supplied.
Nineteen-year-old TAFE student Ella Wood feels as though her nursing career might be back on track thanks to a new critical health care course offered in Albury.
The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance has just been launched and means students like Ella can kickstart a career in the care sector.
Ella, from Jindera, says she had dreams of being a nurse in high school but her ambitions were put on hold when she decided to leave at the end of Year 10.
“Whilst I don’t regret for a second leaving high school it did mean that I couldn’t go on to do the Diploma of Nursing,” she said.
“My sister graduated high school last year and she was going into nursing at uni and it kind of hurt to see her fulfilling my dream.
“I have been working for two years but was like, right, it’s time to take a look at some TAFE courses.”
It was good timing on her behalf and when she graduates in five months she’ll be a qualified health care assistant, also known as assistant in nursing, and with a credit towards gaining her nursing diploma.
The launch of the course in Albury comes as a report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) warned that the skills shortage in aged care in Australia could reach 110,000 or more in the next decade and 400,000 by 2050.
Manager of Albury’s Fresh Hope Communities Residential Care Service Nicole Waite said the shortage was even more pronounced in regional areas and applauded TAFE NSW Albury for responding to industry demand by introducing the certificate.
“It is a constant struggle to find qualified assistants in nursing and so this new course is very welcome,” Ms Waite said.
“It will enable local people to gain the skills and experience they need to work in aged care and stay in their community.”
TAFE NSW Albury has opened two new clinical spaces to help students learn in modern facilities that simulate real environments. Photo: TAFE NSW.
According to TAFE NSW, as of 1 January this year, around 340,000 of the nation’s aged care workers – including assistants in nursing – received the first of a two-stage pay increase, amounting to a 23 per cent rise.
Ms Waite said aged care work offered a unique combination of rewarding, people-centred work, flexibility and an in-demand career.
“It’s such joyful, rewarding work to look after these beautiful older people and hear their amazing stories,” she said.
TAFE NSW Albury head teacher of nursing Jacqui Longmore said Albury had recently opened two new clinical spaces to help students learn in modern facilities that simulated industry.
“There is so much demand locally for entry level positions and this course will help start you on your journey to a rewarding career,” Ms Longmore said.
“It’s a great course to walk straight into a job or as a steppingstone to nursing.”
The course includes a requirement of 80 hours’ work placement, meaning students will gain hands-on, job-ready skills while still studying.
Meanwhile Ella says she’s enjoying the juggle of working in hotel services at Albury’s private hospital and the regional cancer centre along with attending TAFE.
“The new clinical lab rooms are very modern and have all the equipment you could ever really think of needing,” she said.
“I’m really enjoying learning about anatomy and the physiology of our bodies; it’s something you don’t often think about, the way it all works.
“There’s still a road ahead but this is definitely the first step. This course is a great way to get the basic knowledge and is the first building block to get me where I want to be.”
Loading ...
