The University of the Sunshine Coast 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 6,000 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.
She 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," Professor Bartlett 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."
UniSC Professor of Healthy Ageing Professor Victoria Traynor said every mentor on the program was a gerontological nurse with between 10 to 30 years of 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 a proven track record of producing close to 14,000 graduates, postgraduates and higher degree research graduates across various health disciplines.
The funding was announced by Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae. The full media release is available here .
