This year marks an important milestone for one of Australia's oldest tertiary nursing schools.
La Trobe University's Bundoora and Bendigo campuses are celebrating 50 years of nursing education, defined by teaching innovations, impactful research and major investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the University had a proud history of educating passionate and dedicated nurses.
"In 1974, La Trobe adopted the first nursing pre-registration diploma program in Australia from the Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences, which was formerly introduced by the Royal College of Nursing. Fifty years later, we continue to prepare the next generation of nurses, both in the city and in the regions," Professor Farrell said.
"Our alumni, whether new or seasoned in their careers, continue to achieve incredible feats within their/the profession."
Professor Lisa McKenna, Dean of La Trobe's School of Nursing and Midwifery, said nursing education had been through extraordinary change in the last 50 years.
"From the apprentice-based hospital system to the transfer of nursing education and to the higher education sector, we have seen significant change," Professor McKenna said.
"In 1990, we launched our first Honours program and welcomed our inaugural cohort of PhD candidates, heralding a new age of nursing research at La Trobe.
"The University introduced a new double degree in Nursing and Midwifery in 2001 and a Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science double degree in 2019."
Most recently, La Trobe's Rural Health School opened its doors mid-year to nursing undergraduates for the first time ever in response to workforce shortages that are gripping the nation.
La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor for Health Innovation (Regional) and Dean of La Trobe's Rural Health School, Professor Jane Mills, said the growth in research output and an $86 million investment in clinical simulation facilities highlighted the University's commitment to nursing education and the communities it serves.
"Our new and planned nursing and midwifery laboratories across Victorian campuses will give our students the very best environment to learn and succeed," Professor Mills said.
"No matter where you are in your career journey, we offer a range of short courses to support professional development or facilitate re-entry in the field."
The Bendigo campus hosted a special celebration with nursing staff, alumni, students and community members on October 11 to mark 50 years of nursing at La Trobe. Bundoora will host a similar event on October 18.
Photo attributed to the Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
