14

NOTREDAME.EDU.AU 3 Postgraduate This year began and continued over Semester 1 with unexpected challenges for our postgraduate students in their many and varied workplaces. COVID-19 has been a catalyst for new students to engage in further study and for new and existing students to find the tricky balance between work, life and study in an ever-changing health care landscape. Our Graduate Certificates in Nursing and in Mental Health Nursing and Allied Health programs have seen a significant increase in enrolments as this was offered, for the first time, fully online nationally in response to the Government’s short course, job ready package. The Master of Nursing continues to be a popular choice for those seeking promotion and career opportunities. The postgraduate team continues to forge strong ties with industry through our partnership programs. Registered nurses undertaking their graduate year at St John of God Health Care (nationally), Perth Clinic, Health Care, Rockingham General Hospital and SwanCare are able to achieve a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing – a combination of clinical and academic components to help them launch their nursing careers. Similarly, our RNs in a mental health graduate program at East / South Metropolitan Health Service and SJGHC Midland embed the newly learnt theoretical aspects into their clinical practice. Many graduates have enthusiastically continued their postgraduate pathway with further study at diploma and master’s level. The Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing runs through Perth Children’s Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fiona Stanley Fremantle Group, King Edward Memorial Hospital and various SJGHC sites. We are excited to welcome some new partners going into next year as many perioperative nurses seek to develop in their specialty area. Both student and industry feedback is very positive about the benefits of these programs for participants, facilities and patients. It is never too soon (or too late) to start considering career development beyond the Bachelor of Nursing so the postgraduate team is always ready to discuss the various options of postgraduate study available. Dr Tracey Coventry Postgraduate Coordinator Julie Dally Assistant Postgraduate Coordinator Philip Daplyn Postgraduate Mental Health Lecturer POSTGRADUATE Midwifery Students who graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery do not usually have any problems with obtaining work as graduate midwives. Georgia Kenny obtained a position with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) in Broome; she explains why she chose to work in the country, and how she would advise future graduates who are considering country jobs. “I fell in love with the Kimberly as a student midwife after completing a clinical rotation at Broome Hospital. Broome Hospital emphasises a model of midwifery care that focusses upon the needs and wants of each individual, regardless of their background. As a new midwife, I desired to uphold this model of care within my own practice, hence applying for a graduate position with WACHS was inevitable. “My first birth as a Registered Midwife has definitely been the highlight of my graduate position so far. I felt as though I was able to draw upon the comprehensive set of skills and knowledge that I’d gained as a Notre Dame student. The feeling of being able to empower the woman to birth as she had dreamed of is almost indescribable. The birth also strengthened my passion of caring for Aboriginal women, and I hope to further build upon this passion throughout my graduate year. My advice for students interested in working in the country would be to do your research; each country region varies greatly due to size of Western Australia. I would also advise students to be prepared to put themselves out there in order to gain the most out of every opportunity they are exposed to.” Sheena McChlery GDM Program Coordinator If you would like information about the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery at Notre Dame in Fremantle, please contact the GDM Program Coordinator, Sheena McChlery on 9433 0216, or email sheena.mcchlery@nd.edu.au Midwifery student, Georgia Kenny. Research Research celebration at Notre Dame for the 20th Anniversary of the School of Nursing & Midwifery A national virtual research symposium on 6th November brought together the School of Nursing & Midwifery campuses from Fremantle, Broome and Sydney. Both staff and students gave presentations across a wide range of research topics. Prizes were awarded by the Institute Health Research (Fremantle), HESTA and the Office if the Chief Nurse WA. There was a short break, which showcased some of the former higher degree by research students and their areas of research interest in a lively video montage. The event was well attended and the keynotes given by Professor Leanne Monterosso as Chair of Clinical Nursing (Fremantle) and Associate Professor Annmarie Hosie, Palliative Care Nursing at The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA), School of Nursing Sydney and St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney. The video montage of the research experience of higher degree by research students is now available on the university website. Professor Caroline Bulsara Research Coordinator caroline.bulsara@nd.edu.au Professor Leanne Monterosso Associate Professor Annmarie Hosie