Nursing & Midwifery. Studies Assistance Grant Scheme. Information Pack 2015 Round 2. Nursing & Midwifery Studies Assistance Grant Scheme

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1 Nursing & Midwifery Studies Assistance Grant Scheme Nursing & Midwifery Studies Assistance Grant Scheme Information Pack 2015 Round 2 1

2 Nursing & Midwifery Studies Assistance Grant Scheme 2015 Semester 2 - Round 2 Opens 18/7/2015 & Closes 15/9/2015 Information Studies Assistance Grants are awarded to support the educational preparation of a nursing and midwifery workforce that is confident and competent to practice within the unique and culturally diverse health care environment of the Northern Territory (NT). Applications are invited from: 1. Nurses and midwives who have lived in the NT for more than 1 year and are employed in NT Health Services (public, private and NGO). 2. Nursing students who have lived in the NT for more than 5 years and are enrolled in a course leading to registration as an enrolled or registered nurse or direct entry midwife. All applicants must hold Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency. Priority is given to applicants undertaking studies that will contribute to addressing strategic workforce goals for improving health service delivery and ultimately health outcomes for Northern Territorians. The priority strategic workforce goals to be addressed by the Nursing and Midwifery Studies Assistance Grant Scheme in 2015 are to: Contribute to the development of a sustainable local and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce Support Nurse Practitioner candidates to make the transition from advanced practice nurses to the full extended scope of practice as Nurse Practitioners at designated sites and in priority health areas Support development of a very remote, remote and urban workforce skilled in health service areas of need The amount of funding is capped and grants will be awarded in order of Priority Category 1 4. Preference will be given to NT residents of more than 5 years under all priority categories. Preference will also be given to assist recipients of previous rounds complete their studies. Studies must be completed at Charles Darwin University except where the course of study is not provided at that university. Category 1a - NT Residents > 5 years (entry level / undergraduate) Nursing students identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons who are enrolled in a course leading to registration as an enrolled or registered nurse or direct entry midwife who have lived in the NT for > 5 years. Category 1b - NT Residents > 1 year (postgraduate) Nurses and midwives identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons who are enrolled in postgraduate studies relevant to nursing and/or midwifery practice who have lived in the NT for >1 year.

3 Category 2a - NT Residents > 1 year (Nurse Practitioner) Advanced Practice Nurses employed as approved Nurse Practitioner Candidates studying the CDU/CRH Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). An approved Nurse Practitioner Candidate occupies a position that the health service determines is in alignment with the strategic plan for NP implementation in the NT, addressing priority health outcomes, role capabilities and service requirements. Candidates will not be eligible for the grant if they are planning to commence, or have commenced studies leading to endorsement without the support of the health service. Nurse Practitioner Candidates may be eligible to apply for a Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship. For further information contact: Category 2b - NT residents for > 5 years (entry level / undergraduate) For NT residents of > 5 years who are enrolled in a course leading to registration as an enrolled or registered nurse or direct entry midwife. Category 3a - NT Residents > 1 year (postgraduate) Nurses and midwives employed to provide primary health care services to urban and remote Indigenous Communities in the NT (either resident or outreach services) and studying to gain a postgraduate qualification in: Remote Health Practice Child and Family Health or Maternal and Child Health Women s Health or Midwifery Chronic Disease (including diabetes and renal disease) Public Health Category 3b - NT Residents > 1 year (postgraduate) Nurses and midwives employed in acute and primary health care settings in the NT and studying to gain postgraduate qualifications in: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addiction studies Mental Health Category 4 - NT Residents > 1 year (postgraduate) Nurses employed in DoH regional and district hospitals and studying to gain postgraduate qualifications in a range of priority specialty areas including: Chronic Conditions (including diabetes and renal disease) Emergency and/or Intensive Care Paediatrics/Child health Oncology/Palliative Care Perioperative Trauma and Disaster Nursing

4 Terms of payment Payment of Studies Assistance Grants will be retrospective. Payment will be made upon supplying relevant evidence of expenditure. This includes fee assessment notice (or similar) that verifies enrolment and fee payment / receipts / tax invoices. Eligibility The Studies Assistance Grants are restricted to Australian citizens or permanent residents. Applicants studying post-graduate courses must have resided in the NT for > 1 year or more and be employed in a NT health service and be registered with the Nurses and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Applicants studying at undergraduate level leading to registration as an enrolled or registered nurse or midwife must have resided in the NT for > 5 years. Studies must be completed at Charles Darwin University (CDU) or affiliated organizations (e.g. Centre for Remote Health) except where the course of study is not provided by CDU Grants will be awarded in order of Priority Category (1 4) Grants for postgraduate study will normally only be awarded to candidates who are active employees of health services in the NT. Employees who are absent from duty on any form of leave without pay (including unpaid maternity or parental leave) may be eligible if they have had continuous service for a minimum of three (3) years Incomplete applications and applications received after the closing date are not eligible. Applications will only be considered complete if the Applicant Support Form including section A for DoH applicants OR section B for Non-DoH applicants OR section C for entry / undergraduate level is completed. Applications will only be considered complete if the applicant supplies the required documentation, has signed the declaration identifying that the information provided and attached documents are true and correct reflections of the expenditure directly relating to the application. Applications are only accepted via . Candidates who are receiving sponsorship from other sources may not be eligible for the Grant, or may be eligible for a part payment only. International students and residents of other states (unless residing interstate for the purpose of study) are not eligible. Supporting documentation The following documents must be scanned to accompany the application: All Applicants Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency status (e.g. certificate of birth / residency).

5 Proof of payment must include your Fee Assessment Notice (this is evidence of enrolment and fees paid) and tax invoices and receipts directly related to the study. Applications Applicants are required to complete the 2015 Round 2 Studies Assistance Grant Application form located at: Application forms are to be typed but will require a printed version for obtaining signatures. Completed and signed application forms must be scanned along with the required supporting documentation and then all must be submitted by to: Further information For further information refer to the FAQ at the same website or the Nursing and Midwifery Office:

6 Nursing and Midwifery Studies Assistance Application Flow Chart and Timetable 2015 Round 2 Nursing & Midwifery Studies Assistance Grant Scheme Round 2 advertised and opens 18 July 2015 Application Form available on Intranet/Internet Completed applications and all attaching documents to be submitted by closing date 15 September 2015 Ineligible applications notified by as soon as possible following submission Applications short-listed Mid-September 2015 Applications reviewed by Assessment Panel Late September 2015 Results to the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for approval Late September 2015 Applicants advised via Early October 2015 Successful A letter is ed to the applicant with Reimbursement form +/- Vendor Form for completion Unsuccessful Applicant sent unsuccessful letter via On receipt of completed Reimbursement form +/- Vendor form the required payment form is completed and endorsed by Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. Applicant may appeal the decision within 14 days and / or lodge a new application next semester.

7 Checklist for applicants This checklist will help you complete your application. Please note that the Assessment Panel will only consider applications with all items completed. Item What I Need To Do Completed Applicant Details Have I included all information requested on the form? Course Details and Declaration Could I have studied this course in the NT? If not what are the reasons for studying elsewhere? Have I provided fully itemised cost details directly relating to the specific costs expended and claim made for semester ? Have I signed the declaration at the end of the application form? All Applications include the Applicant Support Form (You will only need to complete one section of this ) DoH Have I obtained employer support on Applicant Support Form (section A)? Non-DoH Have I obtained employer details on Applicant Support Form (section B)? Entry level / Undergraduate Have I obtained referee details on Applicant Support Form (section C)? Application Attachments Have I included all of the following: Proof of citizenship or permanent residency status - passport or birth certificate? Proof of payment - Fee assessment notice (includes evidence of enrolment and fees paid) and all associated receipts and tax invoices for expenditure? * *credit card and bank statements are not accepted as evidence of payment Please do not include the information pack or checklist in attachments to your application.