Friday, 15 January 2021
Nursing enrolments boom at GUC
New Bachelor of Nursing enrolments have soared by more than 30% at Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) for 2021, signaling a strong academic year ahead.
While applications are still open until the end of the month for all other courses at GUC, nursing has reached the quota of places allocated by the Centre’s partner, the University of Southern Queensland.
43 people have accepted offers to study nursing, 28 commencing in first year and a further 15 upskilling from enrolled nursing to registered nursing who receive credit to start in the second year of the three year degree.
Director Natalie Nelmes said interest in nursing had been strong for some years now but this year had gone to another level. 
“We interview every prospective nursing student so it’s always enlightening to see the motivations for these students to study nursing,”
Ms Nelmes said.
“The career prospects that registered nursing open are very attractive, as is the ability to really make a difference to people’s lives when they are vulnerable with a health issue. It’s seen as a secure career choice because we will always need nurses and local employment opportunities for our graduates is strong.”
In Geraldton, the nursing course attracts mostly women but the ages range from school leavers and those in their early 20s, to mum’s with young children to more matured aged people in the 40s and 50s.
Ms Nelmes encouraged those keen to study in other courses in 2021 to make contact with the Centre as soon as possible.
“It’s not too late to apply for courses like teaching, psychology, social work or business through our partner CQUniversity,” she said. “And if you don’t meet university entrance, we still have a couple of places left in our bridging programs for 2021 so you can be ready to study in 2022.”
Ends.
