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A smiling student nurse stands in front of a window in a hospital ward. She is wearing aqua scrubs.

Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) has opened applications for its Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing (RUSON) program.

This program offers registered second and third-year undergraduate nurses the opportunity to build fundamental nursing skills while undertaking paid positions within a clinical setting.

For third-year undergraduate nurse Mia Harrison, joining this program has provided an ideal starting point in her career while she completes her studies.

“I saw it as a way that I could get experience within a clinical setting beyond a student placement,” she said.

“Placement is great, but you do a few weeks and then you’re not in that setting again for some time. The RUSON program provided more consistent exposure.”

The RUSON works as an assistant to the healthcare team, assisting Registered Nurses to provide delegated aspects of patient care, including assisted daily living tasks.

Some examples of care within the scope of the RUSON role include hygiene, manual handling and mobility, and nutrition support and feeding.

“It’s been very beneficial for learning and using specific communications skills,” said Miss Harrison of her work.

“I’m hearing the terminology all the time now, and it helps me to link things together.”

“As it’s a small town I do quite often know some of the people on the ward. I find that most of them like having a friendly face that they know and can talk to.”

“Being able to relate to a lot of the patients helps with their care – it helps build rapport and trust,” she said.

There are currently a number of places available for second and third-year Bachelor of Nursing students in the MDHS RUSON program. Apply now via our careers page.

If you are keen to advance your journey towards a career in nursing – and make a positive difference in people’s lives – there are also undergraduate scholarships available, which will allow you to be paid while studying to be a Registered Nurse.

Applications close 21 May 2023. For more information visit health.vic.gov.au.