MINISTERIAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SCHOLARSHIPS 2015 OPENS 18 July 2015 & CLOSES 15 September 2015 INFORMATION The inaugural Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship was launched in October 2014 to increase the opportunity for nurses to advance their careers and provide even more services to Territorians. There will be four (4) annual Ministerial Nurse Practitioner scholarships available to Nurse Practitioner Candidates for tuition fees, travel and accommodation up to the value of $6,500 each. The scholarship is based on the reimbursement model as is used for the Nursing and Midwifery Studies Assistance Applications are invited from: 1. All approved Northern Territorian Nurses Practitioner Candidates who have lived in the NT for more than 1 year and are employed in NT health services, this include both public, private and non-government health services 2. All approved Nurse Practitioner Candidates who are currently enrolled in an accredited Masters level Nurse Practitioner course and have successfully completed at least two (2) units however preference will be given to those who have progressed further along in their studies. All applicants must hold Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency. Priority is given to applicants who have; Enrolled in a Master of Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioner) at Charles Darwin University Successfully completed at least 2 of their course units in the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) Have provided a well-developed and thought out study plan with expenditure mapped to clinical skills and role development APPROVED NURSE PRACTITIONER CANDIDATE 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 scholarship if they are planning to commence, or have commenced studies leading to endorsement without the support of the health service. TERMS OF PAYMENT Payment of Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship will be retrospective by reimbursement for tuition and other fixed costs around the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner course. 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. These payments will be made in line with Round 1 & Round 2 Studies Assistance. Payment may be negotiated for other costs associated with the study plan.
ELIGIBILITY The Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarships are restricted to Australian citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must have resided in the NT for 1 year or more, be employed in a NT health service and be registered with the Nurses and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Studies must be undertaken at Charles Darwin University (CDU) except in exceptional circumstances. The Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship 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; o Applicant Support Form including section A for DoH applicants OR section B for Non-DoH applicants is completed o Applicant supplies the required documentation o Applicant 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 email. Candidates who are receiving sponsorship from other sources may not be eligible for the Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship or the full amount of the Scholarship. 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: Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency status (e.g. certificate of birth / residency). 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. Academic transcript demonstrating successful achievement of all units completed at time of application of an accredited Master s level Nurse Practitioner Program Study plan with a brief outline explaining how the Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship will assist with your clinical skill acquisition and role development Expenditure outline mapped to study plan for extended practice clinical skills and role development
Proof of manager support for DoH applicants OR Proof of NT health service employment for non-doh applicants. APPLICATIONS Applicants are required to complete the 2015 Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Application form located at: Nursing and Midwifery Studies Assistance and Scholarships 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 email to: kerry.sims@nt.gov.au and cc. NursingStudies.Assistance@nt.gov.au FURTHER INFORMATION For further information refer to the FAQ at the same website or email kerry.sims@nt.gov.au and cc. NursingStudies.Assistance@nt.gov.au
Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarships Application Flow Chart and Timetable 2015 Ministerial Nurse Practitioner Scholarship 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 email 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 email Early October 2015 Successful A letter is emailed to the applicant with information for Reimbursement form +/- Vendor Form for completion (Semester 2 2015 and Semester 1 2016) Unsuccessful Applicant sent unsuccessful letter via email 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 in March 2016.
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 2 2015? 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)? 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 Academic transcript Study plan with brief outline Expenditure outline mapped to study plan Please do not include the information pack or checklist in attachments to your application.