Rosie Webster, 11 February, 2025
Rosie was inspired by her mother who is a registered nurse, and decided to pursue a career that offered plenty of learning opportunities in a fast paced, team environment. Rosie has also received different types of support tailored for Indigenous students.
Jump to:
- Centralised Assessment and Selection Program (CASP)
- The Argent Indigenous Nursing Scholarship
- Event opportunities
- Financial help for placements
- Rosie's post-study update
Oodgeroo Unit
The Oodgeroo Unit provides educational and support programs as well as spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. It is located at both the Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses, where you are invited to connect with team members who have rich cultural knowledge and experiences, in addition to their professional network and expertise.
“The Oodgeroo Unit gave me the support and confidence to seek help and provided me with a safe environment to learn and meet new people. I believe they had a huge impact on my ability to get through my studies. They are such a helpful and friendly team that kept us up to date with all opportunities available, provided a meeting place as well as a safe study space full of support. I believe every university should have resources such as the Oodgeroo unit!”
Centralised Assessment and Selection Program (CASP)
CASP is offered by the Oodgeroo Unit. It is an admissions pathway which can help Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants get into most undergraduate and postgraduate courses at QUT. The university looks at your previous study, personal achievements, and your attributes to see if QUT can give you a better chance into getting into the course you want.
“I was a part of CASP in the first year of my degree, which enabled me early entry into whichever degree I chose to study. It also helped support my move interstate by supplying student accommodation in the Brisbane CBD for the first six months of my degree.”
The Argent Indigenous Nursing Scholarship
The Argent Indigenous Nursing Scholarship was created to support QUT’s vision of prioritising Indigenous Australian engagement, success and empowerment. The scholarship is valued at $10,000 and is available to Bachelor of Nursing students studying full time at QUT. Applications are received online and include a written component.
“I heard about this scholarship through the Oodgeroo Unit announcements, and after reading the requirements I thought it was too good to pass up the chance. It enabled me to complete my final year of study, including 12 weeks of full-time placement, with less financial stress.”
“If you’re thinking about applying to this scholarship, make sure to be true to yourself, your motivations, and passion for your degree. Put yourself out there because you never know what doors might open up!”
A range of scholarships are available for Indigenous Australian current and future students.
Event opportunities
Once you’re enrolled at QUT, keep an eye on the student portal for events and overseas exchange opportunities, both long and short term. Students have access to a range of events including career and professional development, academic workshops, social events, and more. You’ll also find information on financial support.
“In my first year of university, QUT sponsored a group of nursing students to attend the CATSINaM conference in Sydney for two days. It empowered me as an Aboriginal woman and future nurse to strive for cultural safety and respect in the healthcare environment.”
Financial help for placements
Bursaries and scholarships are a type of financial support that are given to students to help cover a variety of expenses including going on placements. Bursaries and scholarships don’t need to be paid back, but you do need to apply to be considered.
The Forrester Family Nursing and Teaching Practical Placement Bursary is a joint initiative between the Oodgeroo Unit, QUT, and the Forrester family. The bursary is available to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students with some of the costs associated with completing a work integrated learning (WIL) placement in nursing or teaching.
The Garawa Nursing Scholarships provides Indigenous nursing students $5,000 to be used towards travel, accommodation and some living expenses whilst on placement. The flights and accommodation will be arranged internally by the School of Nursing. The payment amount and schedule for the living expenses will be negotiated with the successful applicants.
“Look out for bursaries that support placements. I’ve received bursaries for nursing placements that gave up to $500 to financially support nursing students while on their full-time placements.”
“My advice for going on placements is to always be open minded to the new environment and staff you’re going to be working with. It may not be the ward, specialty, or hospital you were hoping for but there are learning experiences in every setting and the placement becomes what you make it.”
Rosie’s post-study update
Since graduating, Rosie has started a graduate program at the Queensland Children’s Hospital Emergency Room.
“I worked at QCH for the last 2 years of my study as an Indigenous cadet through their cadetship program. This allowed me to work as an assistant in nursing (AIN) and undergraduate student in nursing (USIN) in both the community as well as the emergency department. This is where my passion for emergency and paediatric nursing grew and empowered me to apply for my graduate program at the hospital.”
“The application process was intimidating, however having been a part of the cadetship program and being familiar with the staff really helped build my confidence, clinical knowledge and hands-on skills.”
“Since the program started, I have felt extremely supported working in my new scope as a registered nurse within the emergency department. I have made many new friends from all different backgrounds and learnt lots of new skills to build upon over the next 12 months.”
