Mater Education's first cohort of Diploma of Nursing students has graduated in Springfield debt-free thanks to the State Government's Free Nursing initiative.
Thirty-four new hospital-trained enrolled nurses have qualified from Mater Health Hub, Springfield – ready to boost the healthcare frontline without the burden of tuition debt.
The graduates were the first to train at Mater's state-of-the-art Springfield facility, each saving nearly $25,000 in fees to kickstart their dream nursing careers from funding introduced in 2023.
Mater Education is currently training more than 200 enrolled nurses in Springfield under the funding program.
For 43-year-old Samantha Adams (pictured), the government initiative made "the world of difference".
"If it wasn't fee-free, I wouldn't have been able to study," the Middle Park resident said.
"Studying fee-free made this opportunity doable for my family and I." The mother-of-three enrolled in the diploma in October 2023 to re-enter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mum.
"I'd had my last child, and I was sitting at home thinking I needed to do something with my time. The course came up and it was such a great opportunity, so I jumped at it," she said.
Now the former medical research worker plans to find employment as an enrolled nurse and continue her studies with a Bachelor of Nursing at university to qualify as a Registered Nurse.
The Mater Education Diploma of Nursing program in Springfield will help meet the region's demand for nurses, which is set to soar when Mater Hospital Springfield opens in 2026.
The new public hospital will employ more than 1,000 people, creating exciting new opportunities for students and those seeking a career change.
Springfield Educator Dominique Willison said the Diploma of Nursing course equips students with "industry-current, hospital-based nursing training".
"Mater Education prepares students for employment by giving them real-world clinical experience," Ms Willison said.
"We have Mater Private Hospital Springfield right around the corner and with the new public hospital set to open next year, there are amazing opportunities for healthcare staff."
Mater Education's Interim Executive Director Sean Hunter said the opportunity to qualify debt-free through the Free Nursing program was an enormous opportunity for job seekers, career changers and recent high school graduates.
"Nursing is incredibly rewarding, and we encourage anyone considering a healthcare career to apply to study with Mater Education fee-free in 2025.
"Our diploma is a wonderful opportunity to gain a qualification without the financial burden of tuition fees, particularly for Queenslanders who are interested in switching careers or looking to rejoin the workforce after caring for children," Mr Hunter said.
