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The first cohort of students to graduate debt-free from Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing are set to kick off their healthcare careers without the burden of paying off tuition fees.
Thirty-five new hospital-trained enrolled nurses have graduated from the 18-month course at Mater Hospital Brisbane today, armed with the skills they need to hit the ground running in hospital wards.
Graduates Laura Barrett, Katelyn Collins and Emma Henderson, all aged 18, saved nearly $25,000 each to kickstart their dream nursing careers, thanks to the Queensland Government’s Fee-Free TAFE initiative introduced in 2023.
Up to 3,500 fee-free places in the Diploma of Nursing are available through specific training providers.
Ms Henderson left high school when she was 16 years to study nursing said her family was proud of her achievement.
“They’re super proud of how far I’ve come since leaving school,” she said. “I’ve accepted a graduate role on the gynaecology ward at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane for the next 12 months.
“After that, I plan on going to university to qualify as a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing.”
Ms Barrett said fee-free training enabled her to focus on her studies without financial stress.
“Studying fee-free has taken the biggest load off,” she said.
Ms Barrett will continue her studies with a Bachelor of Nursing before pursuing her ‘ultimate goal’ of becoming a midwife.
“Eventually, I’d love to work at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, caring for mothers and babies,” Ms Barrett said.
Like Ms Barrett, Katelyn Collins will also embark on further education.
“I’m going to further my studies and complete a Bachelor of Nursing,” she said.
“My end goal is to work in the Mater Emergency Department as a Registered Nurse.”
Mater Education Director of Education and Training Toni-Maree Henaway said the Diploma of Nursing course created a clear pathway for graduates into university degrees.
“Diploma of Nursing graduates are eligible to take one year off their Bachelor of Nursing at most Australian universities, which also reduces their university HECS-HELP debt,” she said.
“The diploma is a real advantage for hands-on learners who want to experience clinical practice in a hospital setting before starting university studies.
“Mater Education has a relationship with Australian Catholic University (ACU) to streamline entry for our diploma graduates.”
The direct entry program allows 10 Mater Education Diploma of Nursing graduates to bypass the formal application process through QTAC each year, granting them direct entry into the Bachelor of Nursing at ACU.
Ms Collins will start her degree at ACU this year.
Queensland is aiming to grow its nursing and midwifery workforce by 19,000 by 2032.
Applicants for the Fee-Free TAFE initiative must live in Queensland and be Australian citizens or permanent residents to be eligible for a fee-free Diploma of Nursing.
To find out more, contact Mater Education student engagement.
