A tertiary institution on the Sunshine Coast is spearheading the delivery of a fully funded nationwide online program to train specialist aged care nurses and help meet demand in rural and regional areas.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) has received $2.2 million from the Australian Government to deliver 550 more specialist aged care nurses to rural and regional areas by 2027.
This will enable UniSC to fully fund the Aged Care Transition to Practice Program as part of a broader $30.8 million package to support 6000 extra skilled aged care workers in Australia.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and president Professor Helen Bartlett said the program would be available nationwide online, with part-time pathways taking up to a year to complete.
Professor Bartlett said it offered an opportunity for graduate nurses to gain specialisation in a sector that would only grow as the nation’s older population increased.
“Over the coming years we must ensure older Australians are supported by skilled and high-quality care specialists who understand their complex care needs,” she said.
“Many older people receiving care have dementia or other comorbidities, or they have extremely complex social situations that require specialist care and, because they may be nearing the end of their life, they may also be needing palliative care.
“This program into gerontological nursing offers a very clear, fully funded pathway for graduate nurses working in residential and community aged care to specialise and eventually become leaders in providing this care.”
Australia faces critical shortages in the aged care workforce over the coming decades, and universities play a vital role in ensuring community needs are met, Professor Bartlett said.
“Rural and remote areas in particular have found it harder to offer much needed specialised aged care services but, with campuses spanning some of Australia’s oldest demographic populations and with a strong healthy ageing research profile, UniSC is uniquely placed to understand the needs in these areas and undertake research and education that can have a positive impact across these communities,” she said.
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UniSC Professor of Healthy Ageing Victoria Traynor said every mentor on the program was a gerontological nurse with between 10 and 30 years’ experience in aged care, ready to share their knowledge.
“This program was initially introduced as a response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to ensure the gerontological nursing workforce had professional development opportunities,” Professor Traynor said.
“But, having since achieved transformation across the sector and gaining awards for its success, the program has now evolved to provide a solid career framework to ensure the best nurses are attracted to aged care, which can be a truly fulfilling career.”
UniSC has produced close to 14,000 graduates, postgraduates and higher degree research graduates across various health disciplines.
Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae said the government valued the critical role workers play in the aged care sector.
“We want dedicated, passionate people to join the sector, to stay and help deliver the care our loved ones deserve regardless of where they live,” Mr Rae said.
“This announcement will make that more achievable for thousands of workers.
“Every older Australian deserves access to high-quality aged care, regardless of where they live or the type of care they need.
“Our investment in regional and rural aged care workers means that more older Australians will get the support they need, when and where they need it.”
