25 August 2021: The University of Canberra has welcomed news from ACT Health that later-year nursing and midwifery students have been granted approval to help administer COVID-19 vaccinations to the Canberra community.
The students will be assisting in Canberra Health Services’ vaccination hubs across the Territory and will be eligible following the completion of mandated training, some of which they have had access to already.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Professor Michelle Lincoln said she was looking forward to seeing UC students on the frontline.
“The University has been working closely with ACT Health to ensure our students can join the ACT’s response to COVID-19, and our students are ready and willing to play a role in protecting our community against this virus and to help ease demand on the ACT’s health workforce,” said Professor Lincoln.
“We are looking forward to see our students use and strengthen the skills they have gained through their studies at UC, and will be supporting them every step of the way.
“We will continue to work closely with ACT Health to provide the necessary support moving forward.”
Third-year Bachelor of Nursing student Hannah McDowell said this is a great opportunity to help when it’s needed and to be considered valuable to the larger community.
“It all comes down to being able to do our part. We have been training for years to be part of this workforce and to be able to jump in early is a privilege,” said Ms McDowell.
“I have just completed a four-week placement in the emergency department on the frontline, so it would be hard to sit on the sideline and not help when the ACT community and health system need it most.”