Careers
September 09, 2022
Carolyn Cumper
Nursing Doctorates in Australia – A Guide
Nurses in Australia carry out a wide range of specialist, highly skilled roles. Many of these roles require extra training and extensive clinical experience in a particular field. One of the most advanced options open to nurses in Australia is a doctoral degree. These highly respected higher education courses allow nurses to become academic doctors and to advance the research, knowledge and skills in their area of specialism. What’s more, medical professionals with a doctor of nursing degree generally have a wider choice of career opportunities and are likely to earn a significantly higher wage than colleagues without a professional doctorate. If you’re considering adding a doctorate to your CV, here’s everything you need to know about PhDs and DNPs in Australia. What is a PhD in Nursing Australia? A PhD in nursing is the next academic step open to nurses that have already completed a master degree. A PhD program generally takes four to six years to complete. The time it takes will depend on whether you study full-time or part-time. During a nursing PhD, candidates will undertake focused research on a particular area of healthcare. This research may involve conducting interviews, data analysis, site visits and relevant reading. Once students have completed their research, they’ll produce a thesis on their chosen subject. This thesis will be evaluated by a panel of academics. Is a DNP Higher Than a PhD? The two main forms of doctorate available to nurses are DNPs and PhDs. A DNP is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on nursing, midwifery, or both. PhDs are considered research degrees while DNPs are practice degrees. Nurses studying DNPs tend to continue working in clinical environments while those studying for a PhD often work in academic research settings. These two different pathways are equally respected and equally challenging. Both qualifications award successful candidates the title of doctor. The route you take depends on your interests, your career goals and your area of focus. Can a Nurse with a PhD Call Themselves Doctor? Anyone who successfully completes a PhD is entitled to call themselves a doctor. However, as this can cause confusion in the medical profession, it’s advisable for nurses with a PhD or a DNP to clarify their qualifications when working with patients. In many cases, it may be more appropriate to place letters after your name than to put a ‘Dr.’ before it. This can help to prevent patients and colleagues from becoming confused and keep things a little simpler when working in a clinical environment. Can You Do a Doctorate in Nursing? Both DNPs and PhDs are doctorates. DNPs are specifically aimed at nurses looking to improve their nursing education. These hands-on degrees require extensive clinical practice as well as graduate research and academic study. A PhD is also known as a Doctor of Philosophy. It’s the most common type of doctorate available to Australian nurses. How Do I Become a Doctor of Nursing in Australia? If you think a PhD could be the perfect next step in your professional development, the first thing you need to do is find a university that offers the course. You can then check their entry requirements to ensure you’re eligible to apply. Most universities expect candidates to have completed a bachelor degree and a master’s degree in nursing and to have a few years of clinical experience under their belts. You’ll also need to pay tuition fees and complete all course requirements before obtaining your doctorate. What is a Doctor of Nursing Degree? A Doctor of Nursing degree is specifically aimed at nurses and healthcare workers. It’s the highest level of postgraduate academic qualification that nurses can achieve and entitles successful candidates to be called doctor. In order to be successful, your thesis will need to offer an original contribution on a subject that hasn’t previously been covered by another candidate. How Can a Nurse Get a PhD? If you want to complete a PhD, you’ll first need to undertake a master’s degree in nursing or a related field like public health or mental health. You’ll then need to apply to universities that offer the course. In some cases, you’ll need to present a research proposal outlining your planned area of study, and suggested methodologies of research, during the application process. If you’re accepted, you’ll need to work extensively on your research project in order to complete your thesis. You may also be required to carry out additional coursework and attain a certain level in your professional practice. Can I Get a Doctorate in Nursing in Australia? If you were born in Australia or New Zealand and are already working as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, you should be entitled to apply for a doctorate course. However, in most cases you’ll need to complete a higher degree, like a master’s before you can start your advanced studies. Unlike domestic students, international students may need to pass an English exam (IELTS) and acquire permanent resident status before they can apply. What are the Benefits of a Doctorate in Nursing? In order to obtain a Doctorate in Nursing, you’ll need to study for a number of years full-time, pay tuition fees and take on a considerable amount of extra work. So, it’s good to know there are considerable benefits to doing a Doctorate in Nursing and Midwifery. For a start, nurses who obtain a doctorate can earn a significantly higher wage than nurses without the qualification. In the US, nurses with a PhD earn around $10,000 more per year than colleagues with the next-highest qualification. Having a doctorate can also open up new professional pathways and allow for a career in academia or teaching. What is the Difference Between a PhD and DNP? A PhD is a research-based course. Nurses that choose to do a PhD often base themselves in a university or research setting and many stop working with patients during their university semesters. A DNP is a practice-based course. Nurses working towards a DNP will generally continue to work in a clinical environment and see patients throughout their studies. What is the Best PhD in Nursing? All nursing PhDs offered by Australian universities are highly respected. Among the institutions offering the course are: The University of Sydney The University of Melbourne The University of Adelaide The University of Tasmania La Trobe University Find out more about nursing in Australia, and explore our collection of nursing supplies, by taking a look around today.
August 26, 2022
Carolyn Cumper
Which Nursing Speciality Should I Choose?
Nursing is an important, highly skilled career that requires a huge amount of dedication, hard work and commitment. A lot of people are drawn to nursing because they want to help others, work as part of a team and do a job that really makes a difference. What many entering the profession don’t realise is that there’s a large amount of variation within the world of nursing. From school nurses to paediatric nurses and ED nurses to home help, nurses take on a wide variety of roles and specialities. If you’re just starting out on your nursing journey, you may well be thinking about which nursing speciality is right for you. As this will have a huge impact on your future career, it’s important to get the choice just right. To help you whittle down the options and find your perfect role, we’re looking at some of the different speciality nursing jobs you have to choose from. What to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Speciality Deciding which avenue you want to follow isn’t always easy. Different specialities offer different working environments, challenges and even salaries. If you’re struggling to decide which type of speciality nursing to pursue, here are some of the most important things to consider before making your choice. Interests Start by thinking about which areas of medicine you’re most interested in. If you love working with children, you could choose to become a paediatric nurse. If you enjoy being in a fast-paced and a varied environment, you could become an emergency or critical care nurse. While, if you enjoy a slower pace and find satisfaction in getting to know your patients, you could go into speciality nursing home care. Training Although some specialities, like elderly care, are entry level positions, others require extra training and speciality nursing certifications. If you’re currently working as a nurse and want to transition to speciality practice nursing programs in order to advance your career, you’ll need to find out what training is available in your area. Speak to speciality nursing organizations to learn which courses are available near you and what nursing speciality certification you’ll need for your dream job. It’s important to remember that these extra speciality nursing courses can add a significant amount onto the time and cost of your professional training. This could mean it takes longer for you to start earning a salary and will probably add to your student debt. You’ll need to weigh this up when deciding if a speciality is the right choice for you. Location As the name suggests, specialty jobs are often only available in certain locations. For example, if you want to work as an emergency department nurse, you’ll need to be within commuting distance of a hospital that takes urgent cases. And if you want to work as an elderly care nurse, you’ll need to be within easy reach of a nursing home or supported living accommodation. If you’re not able to relocate for work, you may be limited to jobs available in your local area. Talk to nearby hospitals and medical centres to find out which specialities are on offer near you. Working Hours Because many patients need care around the clock, a lot of nurses are required to work shifts. While shifts suit some people, they’re not for everyone and can be difficult for people with young children and other commitments. If you’d rather work a 9 to 5, you might find a job in a clinic or doctor’s surgery is better suited to your lifestyle. Job Pace When choosing a speciality in nursing, it’s a good idea to think about the environment you want to spend your working life in. Different specialities, while often equally challenging, can be very differently paced. For example, if you’re a school nurse, you’ll probably be dealing with trips, falls and slips and should have a relatively low-key working day. While if you’re a critical care nurse, or if you work in an emergency department, your work is likely to be fast-paced, high-stress and unpredictable. If you’re the sort of person who thrives on adrenaline, a high-octane speciality could be the perfect choice. However, if you know you work better in a calmer, quieter environment, a more tranquil speciality could suit you better. Patient Engagement Although every nursing speciality is patient-focused, the amount you actually get to interact with the people you care for can vary significantly between jobs. Critical care nurses for example often work with people who are unconscious or hooked up to ventilators, while nurses working in an emergency department might only see their patients when they’re being treated for serious injuries. These patients are often then transferred to other parts of the hospital for further care. On the other hand, paediatric nurses and elderly care nurses often have the time to work closely with their patients and to build a relationship with the people they care for. If you like the idea of getting to know your patients, a job with higher levels of patient engagement could be the perfect speciality for you. Nurses fulfill a diverse array of crucial roles in the medical and caregiving professions. As you train for a career in nursing, dedicating time and consideration to your future path will assist you in choosing the specialty that best suits your aspirations. This includes not only understanding the different nursing roles but also the importance of appropriate attire, such as nursing scrubs, which are essential for both comfort and professionalism in various healthcare settings. To discover more about your options and to explore our extensive range of nursing supplies, including high-quality scrubs, please browse our collection or contact a member of our team today. Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.
August 22, 2022
Carolyn Cumper
Everything You Need to Know About Your White Coat Ceremony
The white coat ceremony is an important milestone in your professional career. Often seen as the real starting point of your medical journey, the ceremony can feel like the moment you go from being a member of the public, to a member of the healthcare community. If you’ve just started medical school and have been invited to a white coat ceremony for the first time, you might be asking what is the white coat ceremony? And wondering what to expect from the occasion. To help you navigate your way through this important event, we’re taking a look at everything you need to know about the ceremony. From white coat ceremony captions, dress codes and gifts, to traditions and oaths, we’re looking at all aspects of this medical rite of passage. What is a White Coat Ceremony? Although different institutions have different traditions, in general, white coat ceremonies involve the presentation of a gift (most commonly, a white lab coat) and the swearing of an oath. Most white coat ceremonies will take place in a university auditorium or hall, though some institutions might hire an outside space for the occasions. Medical students taking part in a white coat ceremony will swear the Hippocratic Oath. Other healthcare students may also swear oaths or make similar promises to do no harm and help their patients. In some cases, friends and family will be invited to watch a white coat ceremony. However, a lot of the time it’s just the students, their classmates and their professors at the event. What is White Coat Ceremony History? Though it may seem like an ancient tradition, the history of the white coat ceremony is actually fairly short. The first white coat ceremony was held in 1993 when a professor at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons decided that students should take the Hippocratic Oath at the beginning of their studies rather than the end. The ceremony was created as an opportunity for students to swear the oath, thus placing patient care and medical ethics at the very heart of their medical studies. The tradition quickly spread and today white coat ceremonies are held in medical schools around the world, with thousands of budding healthcare professionals enjoying the event every year. In fact, the ceremony is so important that many schools hold theirs during orientation, right at the start of the academic year. Who Gets a White Coat Ceremony? Although the white coat ceremony is probably most closely associated with doctors, a lot of other budding medical professionals also go through this rite of passage. It’s common for universities and medical schools to host a pharmacist white coat ceremony, a nursing white coat ceremony and a physical therapy white coat ceremony alongside an event for aspiring doctors. During a white coat ceremony pharmacy students will also receive a lab coat and possibly other pieces of medical equipment. A pharmacy white coat ceremony probably won’t include an oath as, unlike medical students, those studying pharmacy don’t swear the Hippocratic Oath. White Coat Ceremony for Nurses The white coat ceremony nursing students enjoy will be broadly similar to that of doctors. They’ll be presented with a gift related to their profession (often a white coat, stethoscope or another piece of medical equipment) and will be reminded of the importance of placing patients at the heart of their medical practice. However, nurses won’t swear the Hippocratic Oath, instead, they’ll say related white coat ceremony quotes that reflect their commitment to do no harm and put patients first. White Coat Ceremony Gifts During a white coat ceremony, participants will generally be given a white lab coat by their university. After all, this is how the ceremony got its name. Some medical schools give students other items that are related to their profession, like a stethoscope, medical bag or scrubs. Pharmacy and nursing students may also receive something other than a white coat during their ceremony. Sometimes, friends and family of the students also give them gifts to help them along their way. If you know someone who’s just started at medical school and are looking for gifts for white coat ceremony to surprise them with, why not present them with a personalised white coat or another beautifully crafted piece of medical equipment? What to Wear to White Coat Ceremony? A lot of students want to know what to wear to a white coat ceremony. Very few would have been to one before, so it’s understandable they want to get their white coat ceremony outfit just right. In general, these events are fairly formal. Male doctors looking for white coat ceremony outfits might choose a suit, while female doctors often opt to wear evening dresses for white coat ceremony. White coat ceremony dresses are generally fairly smart. While doctors probably wouldn’t wear a gown or anything too glamorous, most would put on their best formal outfit for the occasion. If you’re still unsure about white coat ceremony dress, ask your medical school about their dress code. A white coat ceremony is an important milestone in every medical professional’s journey. Marking the start of your new career, it’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. So, if you’ve got a white coat ceremony coming up, or if you have a loved one who’s just starting out on their medical career, why not take a look at our collection of high quality supplies to find the perfect memento for the occasion? Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.
July 31, 2022
Carolyn Cumper
What is the State of the Nursing Shortage in Australia?
Nurses are the backbone of the Australian healthcare system. In 2020, there were 450,000 registered nurses and midwives in Australia. That’s more than 4 times the number of doctors and makes nurses the largest clinical workforce in the country. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of having well-trained, dedicated nurses in healthcare. Nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to care for Australians and help minimise the effects of the virus. This makes it all the more worrying that Australia is currently experiencing a major nursing shortage. A recent report revealed that the average 2022 vacancy rate for registered nurses is 17%. That’s a significant 7.1 points higher than 2021. This huge fall in the number of nurses is likely to have a direct impact on patient care and patient outcomes. It will also lead to substantial increases in staffing costs as hospitals try to plug the gap with overtime and temporary staff. Why is There a Nursing Shortage in Australia? The nursing shortage in Australia has been getting worse for a number of years now. It has been driven by a number of factors including a lack of funding, an ageing population and increased competition for nurses from overseas. The Australian Medical Association has warned that the current hospital funding crisis is putting patients at risk and jeopardising the future of the healthcare system. This in turn is placing added pressure on nurses, making an already difficult job even harder. Of the issues currently affecting the Australia nursing shortage, one of the most important – and hard to solve - is the country’s rapidly ageing population. In the 20 years from 2000 to 2020, the proportion of the population aged 65 years or over increased from 12.4% to 16.3%. The change in the number of people aged over 85 years old or over was even more dramatic, with the percentage increasing by 110% over the two decades. That’s compared to the total population growth of just 35%. This ageing population affects the nursing shortage in two ways. Firstly, it decreases the percentage of working-age people in the employment pool, reducing the number of people available to train as nurses. Secondly, it increases the demand placed on the healthcare system as elderly people tend to have more complex medical needs. This in turn means that more nurses are required to meet the country’s healthcare requirements. Another factor affecting the nursing shortage is diversification. Nurses are now being asked to cover a wider variety of roles than ever before. From administering vaccines to dealing with mental health issues, our nursing workforce is being stretched to its very limits. How Bad is the Nursing Shortage in Australia? The nursing shortage in Australia is getting worse every year. According to a recent report that focused on the future of nursing in Australia, the government expects there to be a shortfall of around 85,000 nurses by 2025. By 2030, the figure is expected to be even worse, with a shortage of 123,000 nurses. However, these figures may be seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The stress of the pandemic, and the trauma experienced by many healthcare professionals, has caused up to a fifth of essential workers (including nurses) in Australia to consider leaving their jobs. This mass exodus could have a serious impact on the nursing shortage Australia is already experiencing. Why are Nurses Leaving Their Jobs? Some of the most common factors causing nurses to leave their jobs are: Stress Exhaustion Burn out Overwork Stress is one of the main reasons that nurses are leaving their jobs. A survey carried out by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) found that more than four out of five (86.7%) of primary healthcare nurses said they felt stressed at work. The same survey revealed that 80.4% of nurses felt exhausted, while 78.8% said they felt burnt out. Of the nurses surveyed, 72.9% said they worked too much, with 76.4% of those that took part in the research working overtime. Most shocking of all, of the primary care nurses that responded to the APNA survey, over one in four (28.73%) were planning to leave their job within the next two to five years. A lot of the issues affecting nurses have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic during which nurses around the country were asked to work long hours and put their own health at risk to care for their patients. Nurses have been required to go above and beyond at every stage of the pandemic. This extreme workload has taken a significant toll on both the physical and mental health of our nurses. As we’ve seen, stress, exhaustion and burnout are all now commonplace, putting nurses under pressure and making the profession even more challenging. Are More Nurses Being Trained? The good news is that more nurses and midwives are being trained to help plug the gaps and reduce the nursing shortage. According to the 2019 Nursing and Midwifery Factsheet, the number of nursing graduates is increasing at five times the rate of the population and the nursing and midwifery workforce is increasing at almost two times the rate of the population. However, with stress and burnout causing more and more nurses to leave the profession, experts are still predicting a serious shortfall in the number of nurses working in the country. Job vacancies in the healthcare and social assistance industry increased significantly from 8.2% in February 2020 to 21.2% in August 2021. This indicates that more people are leaving the profession than are joining it and could point to even more serious shortages in the future. Bringing Nurses in from Overseas Another way to address the nursing shortage is to bring in qualified nurses, and trainees, from overseas. In 2019, around 37.6% of the nurses working in Australia were born outside the country. That was up from 35.5% in 2016, 33% in 2011 and just 25% in 2001. Most of these nurses come from Southeast Asia, the UK and Ireland. If this trend continues, the number of foreign-born nurses working in Australia will increase year on year, helping to reinforce the country’s healthcare workforce. This could have a significant impact on the current nursing shortage and help to ensure everyone living in Australia has access to the care they need. One of the challenges of relying on nurses from overseas is that they’re in high demand globally. A lot of countries around the world have a shortage of nurses, with many wealthy countries depending on foreign-born nurses to plug the gaps. As well as making it difficult to fill vacancies, the global nursing shortage means large numbers of nurses are leaving developing countries to move to richer ones, putting added pressure on already fragile health systems. Supporting Student Nurses To secure the future of nursing in Australia, it's essential to train more nurses and midwives. Alongside our specialist range of nursing supplies and student kits, we offer a selection of nursing scrubs, designed to meet the needs of aspiring healthcare professionals. These scrubs, alongside our tools and resources, are affordable, reliable, and tailored to support the rigorous demands of nursing training. With these high-quality products, student nurses can embark on their careers with confidence, fully equipped for both practical and theoretical aspects of their education. To find out more about nursing in Australia, or to explore our collection of high quality medical supplies, take a look around or get in touch with a member of our team today. Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.
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