The University of Ballarat in conjunction with East Grampians Health Service commenced a Diploma of Nursing program at Pyrenees House, Ararat in February 2012. This program forms part of the East Grampians Health Service strategic plan to educate local community members, and retain and attract a skilled and motivated work force.
“This is an accredited nurse training program that will contribute to the sustainability of a qualified workforce in the community,” stated Robyn Dalton, Deputy Dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of Ballarat. Robyn added that the renovation and refurbishment of Pyrenees House into an education centre with an attached nursing practice room has created an ideal learning environment for students, also essential for meeting the standards from the Australian Nursing Midwifery Accreditation Council.
EGHS Education Manager, Heather Phillips, highlighted that the Diploma of Nursing qualification will be delivered by the University of Ballarat on a full-time basis for a period of 18 months.Successful graduates of the Diploma will be eligible to apply for national registration as an Enrolled Nurse and may embark on a rewarding career in the nursing profession, an area that the Australian Government has identified as suffering from major skills shortage. Heather explained that for those students interested in further study, completion of the Diploma of Nursing program will give 18 months credit towards the Bachelor of Nursing qualification at the University of Ballarat.
For further enquiries, please contact either Heather Phillips or the University of Ballarat (03) 5327 8309.