Health care in regional Australia, particularly in southern NSW and regional Victoria, will receive a boost with the announcement to extend the teaching of Charles Sturt University's nursing degree to its Albury-Wodonga Campus.

The move addresses the well-publicised shortages of registered nurses in regional and rural Australia. All Australian States have seen increased demand for nursing places at universities in recent years, with over a 10 per cent increase recorded in NSW and Victoria in 2001.

Head of CSU's Albury-Wodonga Campus, Professor David Battersby, said that the increased interest has been driven by workforce shortages across Australia and by enhanced salary and career prospects for nurses.

"Nursing workforce shortages have been so acute in NSW that the Minister of Health has instituted a Ministerial Standing Committee on the Nursing Workforce and the Premier has indicated that the recruitment and retention of nurses is a high priority of the NSW Government," Professor Battersby said.

In urgent response to the shortage, the University hopes to provide 25-30 places in its new nursing course to start in July this year.

Linda Goddard, a senior lecturer in the School of Community Health on the Albury City Campus, will oversee the introduction of the course. Ms Goddard has extensive experience in nursing education and is also a registered nurse.

"We hope to attract all types of students from across NSW and Victoria to the course, particularly as it starts in July. Some may have completed high school last year; others may be currently working and seeking a career change; and some may have been at home caring for children and can now pursue a professional career," Ms Goddard said.

Acting Head of the School of Community Health, Associate Professor Gail Whiteford said that the course will focus on rural health and on producing graduates who will seek their first employment in rural and regional areas.

"As with other courses taught in the School, such as physiotherapy, speech pathology and podiatry, we will stress the importance of clinical skills and extensive practical experience in the nursing course," Professor Whiteford said.