GPO Box 825 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 | www.act.gov.au

Nursing & Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme

CLOSING DATE FOR COMMENCEMENT STUDY SEMESTER 1 2015:

COB: 4:30 p.m. Friday 20 February 2015

CLOSING DATE FOR COMMENCEMENT STUDY SEMESTER 2 2015:

COB: 4:30 p.m. Friday 07 August 2015

Applications should be completed electronically and sent by email to:

nmscholarships@act.gov.au

Enquires Application packages are available on the ACT Health web site: Select: Health Professionals > Health Professionals on the web > Nursing and Midwifery ACT > Scholarships > Nursing and Midwifery Post Registration Scholarships Contact: Professional Development Coordinator Nursing & Midwifery Office Telephone: (02) 6244 2147 Email: nmscholarships@act.gov.au

2015

Guidelines & Information

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Introduction

ACT Health provides scholarships to promote a positive learning environment that increases the knowledge and skill levels of staff across ACT Health.

The Post Registration Nursing & Midwifery Scholarship Scheme has been offered since November 2000, and provides financial assistance to contribute towards course tuition fees. The scheme provides support for studies in a clinical, education, research or leadership/management area.

Applications are invited twice per year in February and August to coincide with commencement of study for the calendar year. It is preferred that those commencing studies in Semester 2, and having been accepted by their nominated university, also apply in February.

Funding is available for a twelve-month calendar year, with the option to re-apply for subsequent funding thereafter.

The Nursing and Midwifery Office manages all aspects of the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme on behalf of the ACT Chief Nurse.

1 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

1.1 Purpose of Scholarship To provide financial assistance to nursing & midwifery staff to ensure an adequate supply of nurses & midwives skilled in the nursing/midwifery specialities and to encourage the retention of those skills within the ACT public health system.

1.2 Value

The value of each Scholarship will be dependent upon the fees associated with the Course of Study, and prioritised by areas of need. In determining the course fees, the applicant should refer to the website of their respective institution – For example, for the University of Canberra, visit their website www.canberra.edu.au. Type “fees” into the search engine to obtain “Domestic Postgraduate Tuition Fee Rates” for the most recent available year. ACT Health reserves all rights and has complete discretion as to how to distribute funds among the various categories, to whom, and, how much funding will be granted to successful applicants.

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The availability of funding will be dependent upon funds available from year to year. Funding will only cover tuition fees. Other costs such as textbooks, course administration fees, student union, purchase of equipment etc will not be funded.

1.3 Time period for which scholarship applies

Scholarships will cover a period of up to one calendar year only. If the proposed course of study is likely to exceed one calendar year, applicants will need to re-apply, through a simplified re-application process.

Please note: funding is allocated for the year and cannot carry over to the following year. 1.4 Identified areas of need

Scholarships will be prioritised based on identified areas of need, as determined by ACT Health. However, applications for studies in other clinical, education, research or leadership/management areas are encouraged. Areas of need are subject to change and may differ from year to year.

1.5 Conditions

The Scholarship amount will be dependent upon:

the level of study award: ie masters degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or other course and associated course fees; and

for a period of up to one calendar year only.

1.6 Eligibility

To be eligible for a Scholarship, applicants must: a) be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia; b) be enrolled or registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Board Australia

and hold a current unconditional practising certificate; c) be currently employed by ACT Health in a permanent, temporary (fixed

term contract) or casual position prior to enrolment in the course of study.

d) have a minimum of one year full-time equivalent, post qualification clinical experience; and

e) have been accepted into a postgraduate course where the focus of study is in a clinical, education, research or leadership/management area.

f) must declare if receiving funding from another source

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1.7 Scope for Studies to be undertaken at institutions outside of the ACT The eligibility criteria attached to this scholarship scheme allow for studies to be undertaken through an institution or training provider in another State.

1.8 Applications Applications must be lodged before the deadline for submission – Round 1: 4:30pm Friday 20 February 2015 and Round 2: 4:30pm Friday 07 August, 2015.

There are two application forms: a) Applications Form Post Registration Scholarship New Studies commencing

2015, or continuation of a course for which a scholarship has not previously been awarded; or

b) Applications Form Post Registration Scholarship Continuing Studies provides a simplified re-application process for those seeking additional funding to continue studies in the same course that a scholarship was awarded in 2014.

Handwritten applications must be neat and legible. Course brochures and other course information will assist assessment of your application. ACT Health reserves the right not to assess any application that is:

incomplete, as to any details required in the application form; or

lodged after the deadline for submission of applicants – Round 1: 4:30pm Friday 20 February 2015 and Round 2: 4:30pm Friday 07 August, 2015.

1.9 Acknowledgement of receipt of application All applications will be acknowledged upon receipt, in writing, by the Nursing and Midwifery Office.

1.10 Assessment of application

All applications will be considered on the merit of the written application. Each application will be assessed by the “Nursing & Midwifery Scholarships Panel” whose membership comprises of nursing and midwifery staff from various levels and roles across the ACT Health. Their function is to review all application forms, applicants’ responses to the selection criteria and referees reports and to ensure that the process is transparent, merit-based and fair and equitable for all applicants.

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1.11 Notification of panel decision When the selection process is finalised, applicants will be sent a letter, from the Nursing and Midwifery Office, informing them of the panel’s decision. Where possible, every attempt will be made to notify applicants of the panel’s decision prior to the commencement of semester studies.

1.12 Appeal mechanism

Should an applicant be unhappy with the decision of the panel, an appeal mechanism has been established to review applications on an individual basis. Requests for review of panel decisions must be provided within eight (8) weeks of receipt of notification of panel decision. Such requests must:

Be in writing; Identify the basis of the appeal; and Be forwarded to: ACT Chief Nurse

ACT Health Level 3, Building 6

Canberra Hospital, PO Box 11 Woden ACT 2606

After the appeal process, the decision of the ACT Chief Nurse is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

1.13 Agreement and Reimbursements

Successful applicants will receive a “Nursing & Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme: Agreement”. Applicants are required to sign the Agreement, have their signature witnessed and return it to the Nursing & Midwifery Office, ACT Health by the due date specified in the letter of offer.

If the contract is not returned by the due date, it will be assumed that the recipient does not wish to accept the scholarship offered and their details will be removed from the database.

Scholarship payments will be administered as a reimbursement to semester fees. To claim for reimbursement, the following information needs to be provided to the Nursing and Midwifery Office at the end of each semester:

a copy of a receipt for payment/deferral of course fees;

proof of having passed the units for which reimbursement is sought;

proof of current employment with ACT Government Health Directorate (letter from Shared Services or a copy of a recent payslip).

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banking details for reimbursement of fees by direct deposit. If banking details cannot be provided, applicants can collect their reimbursement in the form of a cheque from Shared Services at the appropriate time.

Failure to provide the above documentation within six (6) weeks of completion of each

semester, unless otherwise negotiated with ACT Health, will result in ACT Health

assuming the Recipient does not wish to be reimbursed and the contract will be

terminated. (Please phone or email the Nursing & Midwifery Office if your results have

not been received in this time).

The preferred method of reimbursement is through electronic funds transfer (EFT) direct into the recipient’s account of choice. Cheques will only be made payable to the Scholarship recipient and will not be paid to any other individual or institution. The cheque will be paid in Australian dollars posted to the applicant at an Australian address. For EFT payments, the recipient must provide relevant details including Institution name, BSB number, account number, account name. A ‘Remittance Advice’ regarding the EFT payment will be posted the same day the EFT is made. You can receive the Remittance Advice sooner if you provide email or fax details as well as account details. Any Scholarship money, not used by the recipient for the particular activity for which it was sought, must be returned to ACT Health.

1.14 Extension and Suspension of the Scholarship A request for a variation to the Scholarship agreement should be notified in writing to the Nursing and Midwifery Office. If the Course of Study is not completed within the agreed period then a request is to be made in writing for an extension of time. An extension of time does not automatically include additional Scholarship funding. Illness which reduces the effective tenure of the Scholarship will not automatically entitle the recipient to an extension of the original period of the Scholarship but ACT Health may on application, agree to an extension if deemed appropriate.

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A Scholarship may be suspended at any time during its currency, either at the recipient’s request, or if in the opinion of ACT Health the recipient fails to observe the conditions of the Scholarship agreement.

1.15 Termination of Scholarship

A Scholarship may be terminated at any time, either a) at the recipient’s request, or b) if in the opinion of ACT Health the recipients performance is

unsatisfactory; or c) if the recipient terminates her or his enrolment or fails to observe the

conditions of the Scholarship Agreement. 1.16 Lapse of Scholarship

A Scholarship will be deemed to have lapsed at:

the completion of the Course of Study;

following receipt by ACT Health, of all documentation as agreed to under the “Nursing & Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme: Agreement”;

when all money has been paid according to the agreed amount as stated on the “Nursing & Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme: Agreement”; or

if within 6 weeks of completion of each semester of study, no request for reimbursement of Scholarship money has been received.

1.17 Dissemination of Information

It is expected that the recipient will acknowledge ACT Health in all reports, publications, and conference papers prepared or delivered by the Recipient in connection with the Course of Study, and will inform the Nursing & Midwifery Office, Scholarship Coordinator, of the manner of acknowledgment. Scholarship recipients who complete research components as part of their course of study are also encouraged to engage with the Research Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Practice (RCNMP) to showcase their achievements in research and their contribution to evidence-based practice across the ACT. This will include presenting Research and quality activities at Clinical Grand Rounds for Nurses & Midwives forums and contributing to an annual Research Compendium. For further information on the work of the RCNMP, visit their website under www.health.act.gov.au/research

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1.18 Income Tax Requirements Relating to Scholarships Monies received from some categories of scholarships may be subject to taxation and, it is recommended, that all Scholarship recipients obtain information and advice from a registered accountant or from the Australian Taxation Office.

1.19 Fringe Benefit Tax

ACT Health has been advised that it incurs a liability for Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on the Nursing & Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme. To reduce the amount of this liability (and thus maximise the amount of funds available for the Scholarships scheme) ACT Health need to provide the Australian Tax Office with documentation from each scholarship recipient covering the nature and the purpose of the expense incurred. This Expense Payment Fringe Benefit Declaration form is only for scholarship payments that you will receive in the period from 1st April to 31st March of each year. Completion of the form will not result in you personally incurring any additional financial liability but will assist in maximising the resources available for Nursing & Midwifery Scholarships in the ACT. You will be required to complete this form when signing the “Nursing & Midwifery Post Registration Scholarship Scheme: Agreement”.

1.20 Fee-Help Education Loans Scheme- formerly called Higher Education Loan Scheme (HECS) & Education Loans Scheme (PELS)

If applicants are enrolling in an undergraduate subjects, or postgraduate course on a fee-paying basis, they may be eligible to take out a Fee-Help loan. This scheme is administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. For more information, visit their web site at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/

1.21 Other sources of funding

Applicants could also explore alternative sources of funding that may be available from other organisations including:

a) Professional groups b) Tertiary institutions c) ACT Health Positive Professional Development Pathway (PPDP)

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The Professional Development Pathway Scheme is available to ACT Health staff to assist with fee payment of tertiary education related to their employment. Under this scheme, ACT Health assists staff by providing advanced payment of course fees. This advance is then repaid to ACT Health through regular payroll deduction.

The scheme is administered through Human Resources. For further information, visit the ACT Health intranet “Human Resources Online – Forms” http://cid/people/HRonline/HRIntranetSver/Homepage.htm or contact Staff Development Unit at the Canberra Hospital or the Human Resources Department, Calvary Health Care ACT.

2 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

There are two application forms: a) Applications for new studies commencing 2015, or continuation of a course for

which a scholarship has not previously been awarded.

b) Applications for continuing studies provides a simplified re-application process for those seeking additional funding to continue studies in the same course that a scholarship was awarded in 2014.

____________________________________________________________________________

a) Applications for new studies must meet the following key selection criteria which are addressed in the application form:

Criterion 1.

Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.

Criterion 2 Applicants must have a current unconditional practicing certificate

Criterion 3.

Applicants must be currently employed in a permanent or temporary position within ACT Health and have a minimum of one year full-time equivalent, post qualification clinical experience (with the exception of Mental Health Scholarships). The Applicant will be required to:

provide a copy of an payslip/letter (from Nursing recruitment, Human Resources etc) confirming employment with ACT Health and current designation;

For those employed on a fixed-term contract or casual basis, a letter needs to be provided including evidence of current/previous contracts that

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demonstrate: completed service with ACT Health of at least one year full-time

equivalent duration; minimal time lag between contracts, if employed under a number of

separate contracts; continued employment with ACT Health for the duration of the

scholarship period; and a 12 month history of working the equivalent of 20 hours or more a

week.

Criterion 4.

Briefly provide evidence of educational background and work history relating to the area of practice in which the applicant will undertake postgraduate study. The Applicant will be required to provide details of:

educational background including qualifications; relevant professional experience and work history; and provision of curriculum vitae/resume.

Criterion 5.

Demonstrate commitment to specialty area of nursing/midwifery practice. The applicant will be required to:

describe their commitment to the specialty area of nursing/midwifery practice for which the scholarship is sought. Evidence may include participation in a professional body, participation in professional development within the unit where employed or any other supporting documentation or information; and

describe how participation in their chosen course will benefit ACT Government Health Directorate and ultimately consumers of health services in the ACT.

Criterion 6.

The applicant must demonstrate that they have been accepted into a postgraduate course where the focus of study is in a clinical, education, research or leadership/management area. The applicant will be required to provide:

details of the course to be undertaken; information about the qualification, which will be achieved; and evidence that they have been accepted into the course.

Criterion 7.

Provide details of funding sought for this course through this application. To support the level of funding requested, the Applicant will be required to: provide a copy of the fee schedule for the course of study from the relevant institution, including the following details:

cost per unit of study; and

specific number, and names of units, to be undertaken each semester/ trimester.

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(See: Guidelines, Section 1.2).

Provide details of application for other professional development funding sought for this course from other sources, ie from employer, professional body etc. The Applicant will be required to provide details of:

the extent of funding sought; from whom the funding is sought; and the success of application to date.

Criterion 8.

The applicant will be required to obtain their supervisors recommendation (using the prescribed template available on the website at: http://health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10086446&pid=1193807309 from one of the following:

the direct manager, CNC/CMC or nurse/midwife in charge of the ward/unit/department/centre in which the applicant is currently working; or

the direct manager or nurse/midwife in charge of the division/section/program.

____________________________________________________________________________

b) Applications for continuing studies must meet the following key selection criteria which are addressed in the application form:

Criterion 1.

Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.

Criterion 2.

Applicants must be currently employed in a permanent or temporary position within ACT Health and have a minimum of one year full-time equivalent, post qualification clinical experience; The Applicant will be required to:

provide a copy of a payslip/letter (from Nursing recruitment, Human Resources etc) confirming employment with ACT Government Health Directorate and current designation.

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Criterion 3.

Demonstrate benefit of undertaking the course. The applicant will be required to:

describe how participation in their chosen course will benefit ACT Health and ultimately consumers of health services in the ACT.

Criterion 4.

Details of course. The applicant will be required to provide:

details of the course to be undertaken; and information about the qualification, which will be achieved.

Criterion 5.

Provide details of funding sought for this course through this application. To support the level of funding requested, the Applicant will be required to:

provide a copy of the fee schedule for the course of study from the relevant institution including the following details:

o cost per unit of study; and o specific number, and names of units, to be undertaken each

semester/ trimester. (See: Guidelines, Section 1.2).

Provide details of application for other professional development funding sought for this course from other sources, i.e. from employer, professional body etc. The Applicant will be required to provide details of:

the extent of funding sought; from whom the funding is sought; and the success of application to date.

Criterion 6.

The applicant will be required to obtain their supervisors recommendation (using the prescribed template available on the website at: http://health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10086446&pid=1193807309 to support their continuing education and their application for ongoing scholarship funding).