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ECU welcomes move to wipe student loans for remote area healthcare workers

New Federal Government legislation gives nurse practitioners an extra incentive go bush — and further their studies.

Nurse practitioner Shane Miller with his hands in a humidicrib. Nurses currently working in remote and rural areas could now study to become a nurse practitioner without accruing a student debt if they remain in their current location.

Edith Cowan University's School of Nursing and Midwifery has welcomed new Federal Government legislation which aims to boost the number of healthcare staff working in remote areas of Australia.

Under the new plan, doctors and nurse practitioners who go bush will have their student loans wiped.

ECU is the only Western Australian university offering a Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course.

The new legislation will go towards covering a student's Master of Nursing degree in Commonwealth supported study, a full fee-paying place or a combination of both.

Nurse practitioners will have their entire debt waived if they work in a remote or very remote town for half the length of their course, or a large, medium or small rural town for the same length as their course.

Course co-ordinator Dr Nilufeur McKay said the new legislation creates exciting opportunities for experienced nurses currently working in the health system.

"ECU encourages existing rural and remote nurses to seek the opportunity to undertake the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course," Dr McKay said.

"ECU is the only accredited nurse practitioner course in WA and is currently accepting applicants to commence in February 2023.

"The course offers future nurse practitioners advanced education and skill development in physical examination, pharmacology, diagnostic interpretation and clinical research capabilities."

Visit the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course page for more information, or email Dr McKay at n.mckay@ecu.edu.au.


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