WA international student nursing graduates can assist with nursing shortage
February 2022 | Download
WA international student graduates can help with alleviate the State’s nursing shortage and assist in meeting the demand for additional nursing staff as Omicron cases grow in WA.
The President of the Curtin Student Guild, Theodora Rohl, has asked the Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, to expand the eligibility of a graduate nursing program to international students who have graduated from WA universities.
The proposal is supported by Professor Archie Clements, Pro Vice Chancellor Health Sciences, at Curtin University and Professor Seth Kunin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Curtin Global.
As well, The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has called for the Graduate Connect nursing program be opened to onshore international nursing graduates.
Graduate Connect provides employment opportunities for graduating nurses and midwives within the WA public health system and participating private hospitals
Currently the program gives priority to Australian citizens or those who have Australian permanent residency status as well as New Zealand citizens with a special category visa.
Ms Rohl says that international student graduates from WA universities should have priority access to the program.
“Upon graduation, international students are eligible to register as nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and be employed as registered nurses.
“They have gained clinical experience in WA private and public healthcare settings. They have Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration,” she said.
Ms Rohl said that onshore international student graduates have Australian working visas for three years.
Curtin’s Postgraduate Student Committee President Hameed Mohammad who is an international student studying a Masters of Nursing said that many onshore international nursing graduates have years of clinical experience in their home countries.
“Opening up the Graduate Connect program to international nursing students on graduation is an excellent opportunity to manage the nursing deficit in WA. WA hospitals already have staff shortages and they are recruiting from overseas.
“When WA opens its borders, we will face a challenge in managing the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Mr Mohammad said that international nursing graduates from WA universities wanted to contribute to the community.
Contact
Theodora Rohl
President
Curtin Student Guild
president@guild.curtin.edu.au
Hameed Mohammad
Postgraduate Student Committee President
Curtin Student Guild
08 9266 2900
psc.president@guild.curtin.edu.au
Professor Phill Della
Head of School – Nursing
Curtin University
P.Della@curtin.edu.au
08 9266 2062
About Curtin Student Guild
Curtin Student Guild has been supporting the Curtin community for more than 50 years by providing essential services to students. Our elected student representatives work to deliver the best education and campus experience outcomes for students. We coordinate social events and activities, support student clubs, operate food, beverage and retail outlets and assist students with academic, financial and personal issues.
For further information visit guild.curtin.edu.au