Charles Sturt University is extremely disappointed at missing out on extra nursing places announced today, Friday 19 September by the Federal Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson.

 The University receives 2000 applications for the 220 nursing places it currently enrols each year across its campuses. CSU is a recognised leader in providing quality graduates for the health professions with nearly two in three of its graduates retained in rural and remote areas; and the Federal Government has just funded the development of new rural health facilities at CSU.

“The University was primed to take on additional students. That we have not been included in the equation is extremely difficult to comprehend,” Professor Ian Goulter Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University said.

“Our data indicates that over 70 per cent of CSU’s nursing graduates stay to work in regional areas, proof that professionals trained in regional Australia are retained in regional Australia.  Many of our nursing students upgrade their qualifications by studying at a distance while working in critical areas of nursing care. These are the people who keep our health system going.”

In May this year in response to the Government’s reform announcements the University stated:

“The package provides greater flexibility to adjust to areas of high demand, such as teacher education, and this is a bonus for the regions.  To meet the acute need for teacher education and nursing places in the regions, the University will argue these additional student places should be allocated to regional institutions, which have proven they retain skilled professionals in the regions.  

Professor Goulter said the decision to hand out these additional places appears to have favoured high population growth areas, arguing that this should not dictate which University makes the gain.

“Charles Sturt University has consistently proven itself as a quality provider, we have the resources and room for growth, and this should be the main deciding factor.”

The University is in contact the Minister’s office and will continue to lobby the Federal Government for additional growth places.