Building a rural health workforce: supporting mature-aged nursing and allied health students
Carol McKinstry1, Claire McQuilliam, Nicole Crawford 1La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
With continuing rural health workforce shortages, recruitment strategies such as increasing the enrolment of students with rural origins and educating them in regional and rural areas are vital. This study sought to explore the supports that rural mature-aged nursing and allied health students need to be successful in undertaking higher education courses. A Stakian instrumental case design was used in this study, involving three regional university campuses as case studies. Interviews, focus groups and campus surveys with mature-aged nursing and allied health students, university staff and placement supervisors were used to collect data. Within and cross case analysis was undertaken to identify and describe the supports needed for these students. Numerous supports were identified in the three campuses which included formal and informal supports provided by the university, community provided supports and supports provided by students themselves however there were no supports specifically designed for mature-aged students. Gaps in supports were also identified by mature-aged students especially relating to developing connections on campus and assistance to undertake work-based learning placement particularly to lessen the impact of caring responsibilities and employment. It is recommended that supports for rural health nursing and allied health students are local, relational and age-specific. Providing additional supports and removing barriers for these students will enable universities and rural communities to grow a sustainable rural workforce. All parties, including regional universities, regional and rural health services and communities, have a role to play in supporting mature-aged students to become future rural health professionals.
Biography
Carol is Professor of Occupational Therapy, Deputy Dean and Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching in the La Trobe University’s Rural Health School. Carol is also the current President of Occupational Therapy Australia and assistant editor with the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.