What is different about the 2 year program?

The two year program contains exactly the same content, hours of study and contact time as the three year program. The difference is that the long summer breaks are utilised for study allowing the full course to be completed in two years instead of three.

Are HECS places available for this course?

Yes, HECS places are offered for this course. Click here to view details of guidelines for domestic students on the University of Tasmania (UTAS) website.

Will I still be a registered nurse after 2 years?

Yes, you can apply for registration exactly as if you had completed a three year program.

How much Professional Experience Placement experience will I get?

There is a total of 944 hours Professional Placement Placement (PEP) experience across the two years of the program. The majority of this experience is undertaken at St Vincents and Mater Health, Sydney (SV&MHS); however you may be required to travel for some experience.

I have not heard about UTAS before - is it well regarded?

UTAS is the fourth oldest university in Australia and was established in 1890. It is based at three campuses in Tasmania and has now established a campus in Darlinghurst, Sydney located at St Vincents & Mater Health.

UTAS has a world class reputation and it is internationally renowned for research and teaching in a number of areas including health.

Is it a well known university?

Yes, the University of Tasmania is well known and highly regarded amongst students and academics in Australia and overseas.

Who is SV&MHS?

St Vincents & Mater Health, Sydney is the largest non-government, non-profit, health care provider in Australia and is part of the Sisters of Charity Health Service. It consists of five major hospitals with over 50 in-patient and out-patient departments.

The five hospitals are:

• St Vincent's Hospital, a major public and principal referral hospital
• St Vincent's Private Hospital, one of Australia's leading private hospitals, co-located with the public hospital
• Mater Private Hospital, specialising in cancer care, joint replacement, sports injuries, maternity and women's health, lung and vascular diseases and cochlear implants
• Sacred Heart Public Hospital providing palliative and rehabilitation care
• St Joseph's Public Hospital providing aged care, palliative care and psychiatric care

SV&MHS recognises the value of nursing in health care delivery and are committed to nursing education.

For more information about St Vincents & Mater Health, Sydney please visit the SV&MHS website.

Is accommodation available for students on site?

No and please note that it is the student's responsibility to make her/his own accommodation arrangements. However, there is limited accommodation for restricted periods of time on the SV&MHS Darlinghurst Campus.

I am a parent - are there any child care facilities on site?

Unfortunately there are no child care facilities on site. However, there are several local child care centres including*:

St Vincent's Hospital Child Care Centre
Womerah Ave
Potts Point NSW 2011
Ph: (02) 9360 5727

KU Children's Services
222 Palmer Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Ph: (02) 9360 4628‎

Wallamulla Children Services
Burton Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Ph: (02) 9368 1381

D 4 Darlinghurst Child Care Centre
Heffron Hall Burton Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Ph: (02) 9361 6678

SDN Surry Hills Children’s Education and Care Centre
443 Riley St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Ph: (02) 9319 4988

Moore Park Gardens Pre-School & Long Day Care
4/780 Bourke St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Ph: (02) 9699 5499

*This list is for information only and does not indicate an endorsement or recommendation of the child care centres concerned.

You may also refer to the list of children's services in Sydney compiled by the NSW Government.

How much contact time will I have with academic staff and clinicians?

Contact time varies according to the nature of the subject and there will be a mix of lectures and tutorials for all subjects amounting to several hours a week. Contact with clinicians in clinical practice is also substantial.

I will need to work to support my study - is there flexibility for this?

This is a full-time course. However there is some flexibility but it depends upon your timetable and other course commitments.

What uniform will I wear, do you provide this and/or where do I get it and when, and how much will it cost me?

The uniform consists of a white polo top with the UTAS logo and a navy skirt, trousers or shorts. Please contact the UTAS TUU Shop for price information and purchase of the white tops, Ph: (03) 6324 3754 (Mon to Fri 8.30am – 4.00pm), Email: enquiries@studassoc.utas.edu.au. You will not need a uniform until the second semester of the first year of the course.

What parking is there for students?

All the facilities of SV&MHS are in densely populated urban areas and only very limited parking is available. However, public transport access is very good and this should be your preferred option.

What security is there when I go to and from work?

All facilities employ security services but you are responsible for getting yourself to and from each site.

When will we take holidays and how long will they be?

There are short holidays between each semester. Semesters are normally 13 weeks long and inter-semester breaks are normally at least two weeks long. Please refer to Key UTAS Academic Dates for 2011 for information.

Where will I get my text books from?

There are libraries in each of the SV&MHS facilities which have computer access and excellent journal and textbook holdings.

There are many excellent bookshops in central Sydney that will stock the textbooks that you require.

UTAS students can get a 10% membership discount off books purchased from the Co-op Bookshop. There is a one off $20 membership fee. Co-op Bookshops are located all over Australia. The list of Co-op Bookshops for New South Wales can be found here.

Do I have to be Catholic?

No. Applicants of all faiths are welcome.

Where will I be doing my Professional Experience Placement (PEP)?

You will undertake PEP at any of the SV&MHS facilities as well as other placements which we will negotiate on your behalf with those areas outside our services.

What services and support are available for students studying nursing in Sydney?

Please contact Tiffany Ponsittinat of the Darlinghurst SV&MHS campus for information, Ph: 1300 338 816, Email: Tiffany.Ponsittinat@utas.edu.au.

Where is the Library & what facilities are available in it?

There are libraries in each of the SV&MHS facilities which have computer access and excellent journal and textbook holdings. In addition, students will have access to the UTAS Library and other university libraries. If you are also a staff working in the New South Wales public health system, you can also use the Clinical Information Access Program (CIAP) to access clinical information and resources.

What are the selection criteria?

The selection criteria are based on:

• Year 12 qualifications that have reached the standard necessary for university admission, or
• previous tertiary study or qualifications, professional qualifications or work experience.

Applicants are also required to sit a UNIselect test.

I am not a school leaver - can I apply?

We accept applications from year 12 school leavers and mature-age applicants. View the University of Tasmania's criteria for mature-age entry here.

How do I go about applying?

Applications are handled through the UTAS Admissions Office. The application process is described here.

Are there any scholarships available?

The School of Nursing & Midwifery (SNM) and the University of Tasmania offer a range of prizes and scholarships. Please visit the UTAS SNM website for details. In addition, the Royal College of Nursing Australia offers scholarships for nursing education. More information is available on their web site.

Who will I contact for further information?

Phone the School of Nursing and Midwifery: 1300 338816
Email: Tiffany.Ponsittinat@utas.edu.au

How many students will you be taking?

Approximately 60 students per year.