TheClarkeFamily Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi all I have been looking in to topping up my nursing diploma to a degree but I still need to work so going to University to do it would take a lot longer than a home study course. I have been looking at Open University and ICS - both are learn at home courses whilst you still work. Has anyone else done either of these? Are the acceptable degrees in Australia?? :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi all I have been looking in to topping up my nursing diploma to a degree but I still need to work so going to University to do it would take a lot longer than a home study course. I have been looking at Open University and ICS - both are learn at home courses whilst you still work. Has anyone else done either of these? Are the acceptable degrees in Australia?? :eek: Hi, I did two Level 3 Open University modules to Top up my Nursing Diploma to a degree. It was really, really tough going and there is virtually no support for you from anywhere. Your fellow students are dotted around the UK and overseas and really only communicate via an internet student forum similar to this. I did manage to do it and Pass but didn't end up with a high Honours in the end and really worked my a**e off in the process. The marking structure is harder for OU courses than with a regular University. My work didn't give me any study leave to do it and I payed for the course myself. It cost about £ 700 per module and each module lasts around 9 months. The whole process took around 2 years to complete in all. Merely completing an OU degree around a normal day to day of existence proves that you can manage your time extremely effectively and that you can cope with more than your average student. IMHO it means you have balls of steel and are an extremely driven and determind individual. I'm sure you fit this profile as no doubt like I did you will be applying for your Australian PR Visa at the same time :-) I found the OU Nursing modules to be quite generic, encompasing professional issues from from all walks of healthcare and more targeted to people wanting to move into health care management. It will give you a solid grounding and if you pull it off Open University Degrees tend to be well respected in the Public Sector because people know what you have been through to get one. This was good for as I would like to move in that direction later in my career. Try to get assessed by AHPRA without doing the degree if you can get away with it and access one of the nursing development courses in OZ which still seem to be funded in a lot of states !! Good luck with it :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichway Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 OMG I started this process in Oz and was EXTREMELY expensive. I am going to look back into it again when I got home. Essentially I don't think the degree will have any impact on your ability to register or employability here (in Oz) as I don't think it does in UK, although people say it does, I have never seen it. Only reason I am doing it (AGAIN) is because I may want an out from nursing and this is the best way how, so I can then be a post graduate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClarkeFamily Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 The OU seems good but much more expensive and you can only start when they say so which next one is October. ICS are slightly cheaper but similar modules and can start whenever I like. I thought doing a degree top up may open up more doors for employment?? I worked in aged care and am currently in a care home specialising in Palliative Care. I was hoping the top up may allow me to head more towards management or going on to more specialist nursing etc. Just gathering ideas and info on it all xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miagalore Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hi cjmre 76 Your post really made me smile! I am currently studying with the OU to top up my Nursing Diploma and it really is a ball-breaker, I work full time and I'm self-funding the modules. You do feel on your own sometimes and it can sometimes be difficult to relate to other students due to the distance learning aspect. Also I there are also a few studying part time so the have far more time to devote to their studies. I have been thinking about OZ on and off for a couple of years with my boyfriend (he is a nurse too but has his degree) and had intended to top up anyway, but had difficulty getting funding from my trust. I was not sure if OU modules would be accepted in OZ, but would really like to get it now I've started, although I know I've got a hell of alot of work ahead of me!!!:arghh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichway Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 So now I have been looking into this... ICS seems SO much cheaper and shorter route than through an actual university. Is it still fully valid as a Bachelor's in Nursing when completed. So if I completed it then went to a UK University to study further I could officially be a post graduate? Seems too good o be true after all the money I spent in Oz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClarkeFamily Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 So now I have been looking into this... ICS seems SO much cheaper and shorter route than through an actual university. Is it still fully valid as a Bachelor's in Nursing when completed. So if I completed it then went to a UK University to study further I could officially be a post graduate? Seems too good o be true after all the money I spent in Oz. Thats what I am concerned about. Module and time wise (and cost) on ICS seem great for me but I dont want to do it, all that hard work etc if its not going to be recognised in Australia. The quotes I have been given to do it at a university are way higher plus I would have to drop to part time at work to fit it all in. ICS seem to offer a good way forward for me degree wise but will anyone in Aus know what it is???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miagalore Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I never even thought of checking out ICS, could have saved myself a bit of cash!!!! I went with the OU as I've studied literature with them before, but I wasn't sure an OU Nursing Degree would be recognised in OZ however I want to get it anyway so I'll crack on with it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Open university is known and respected internationally. Not so sure about the ICS course ? Check with the AHPRA before u spend the cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miagalore Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks!!, What is AHPRA's stance on Diploma nurses?? Are they accepted to work in Australia? I have heard so many conflicting stories!:twitcy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichway Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks!!, What is AHPRA's stance on Diploma nurses?? Are they accepted to work in Australia? I have heard so many conflicting stories!:twitcy: I am a diploma trained UK nurse and have been working in Oz for years. They are fine with it. Only thing is (which is just plain silly) I am an RMN with a Dip in Mental Health Nursing and in Oz I am recognised as a Registered Nurse with out any mental health training. Not that it has made any difference to anything. But still..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichway Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Does anyone know if the ICS route is accepted as a degree in UK at UK Universities? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossda Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hiya Just thought I would share my extremely stressful AHPRA time last year. I am pre diploma trained, back in 1994 so had just basic training behind me. I did a level 2 - 60 credit post reg course in the late 90's and then just short bits and pieces and mandatory stuff. I had a bit of a freak out when applying for skills assesssment and AHpra last year thinking I would never get through. So started the year from hell !! Already working full time plus overtime, 2 small children, a dog, house to renovate etc etc - I knew I wouldnt get through the nursing bits for OZ with what I had - so I embarked on ( and now passed thank god) a 6 month diploma level 2 course from the OU - on the nursing degree pathway, and 3 level 3 15 credit courses from the university where I live and work. Boy was I stressed and never ever again, but the one thing that got me through AHPRA was The Open University Course, even though the others were at a higher academic level and done at a 'proper, if you like' uni. So OU is good for AHPRA and they accepted it. Good Luck Rachel x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miagalore Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Thanks guys, thats reassuring to know!:wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClarkeFamily Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 I have been doing some reserachthis weekend (whilst I await a reply to my emails to Aussie nursing board regarding distance learning degrees) and so many places seem to offer some kind of top up degree through distance learning in both UK and Australia. This gives me hope that the top up I want to do will be accepted as it seems distance learning is rather popular in both countries. I am not registering or paying for anything until I have a firm answer from Australia though, just incase. Whatever they reply I will post on here so anyone else with same curiosities can see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClarkeFamily Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Ok so last week I emailed for information regarding top up degrees done through distance learning. I had explained that I am a diploma nurse in UK, applying for 176 visa, looking in to distance learning to get my top up to degree before we move there. What I asked was "are top up degrees done through distance learning in UK acceptable in Australia, are they considered a "proper" degree", (as I dont want to put myself through something and get it to find out its worth nothing in Australia). I have been looking in to Open University, ICS and some Uni's that offer distance learning. Today I was so excited to see an email from AHPRA in my inbox and thought finally I may get my answer. This was thier reply........ Thank you for your enquiry. It is possible that some education providers may offer some of the approved courses via distance education. You will need to contact the education providers for more information about their courses. If the courses you want to do are not on the list of approved programs of study, then they are not approved programs of study, or they have not yet been approved as approved programs of study. Thank you for contacting AHPRA, The Customer Service Team AHPRA Enquiry Contact Centre Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency I dont mean to be rude but that has to be the most useless answer I could have gotten. A simple yes or no would have been ok. Where are these approved lists?? How do I access them?? ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!! All I know is having spoken to both OU and ICS, the distance learning top up degree is still issued by the actual University it is done through and as far as they are concerned holds the same pull as a degree done through attending University. I am no further forward really but have decided I am gonna go for the top up degree anyway. If its not accepted in Australia then so be it, I still have my diploma. My old manager in the NHS says its accepted in UK through distance learning so if for some reason we dont get our visas, I will have gained a useful qualification for this country! Plus a top up degree will keep me busy whilst we sit and wait for visa approval etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miagalore Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Thats as clear as mud!! Well at least you tried, I am doing mine anyway because then at least I've got it. Best of luck!:wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Ok so last week I emailed for information regarding top up degrees done through distance learning. I had explained that I am a diploma nurse in UK, applying for 176 visa, looking in to distance learning to get my top up to degree before we move there. What I asked was "are top up degrees done through distance learning in UK acceptable in Australia, are they considered a "proper" degree", (as I dont want to put myself through something and get it to find out its worth nothing in Australia). I have been looking in to Open University, ICS and some Uni's that offer distance learning. Today I was so excited to see an email from AHPRA in my inbox and thought finally I may get my answer. This was thier reply........ Thank you for your enquiry. It is possible that some education providers may offer some of the approved courses via distance education. You will need to contact the education providers for more information about their courses. If the courses you want to do are not on the list of approved programs of study, then they are not approved programs of study, or they have not yet been approved as approved programs of study. Thank you for contacting AHPRA, The Customer Service Team AHPRA Enquiry Contact Centre Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency I dont mean to be rude but that has to be the most useless answer I could have gotten. A simple yes or no would have been ok. Where are these approved lists?? How do I access them?? ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!! All I know is having spoken to both OU and ICS, the distance learning top up degree is still issued by the actual University it is done through and as far as they are concerned holds the same pull as a degree done through attending University. I am no further forward really but have decided I am gonna go for the top up degree anyway. If its not accepted in Australia then so be it, I still have my diploma. My old manager in the NHS says its accepted in UK through distance learning so if for some reason we dont get our visas, I will have gained a useful qualification for this country! Plus a top up degree will keep me busy whilst we sit and wait for visa approval etc My OU degree was ok for AHPRA. They asked me for more information about my elderly care experience from my Diploma but apart from that they were ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 TheClarkfamily - If your husband is the main applicant anyway can't you just try and get AHPRA assessed without doing the degree. You might get it without all the extra frills if your just doing it for the registration and not as a main applicant ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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