31 January 2025: The University of Canberra (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) welcomes the federal government’s boost of $18.4 million for nursing students in aged care, which includes a $6.3million Commonwealth tender awarded to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Clinical Placements with Older People (CPOP) program.
The Clinical Placements with Older People (CPOP) program has improved both quality and quantity of clinical placements for nursing students to work with older people, raising awareness of the rewarding career opportunities in the sector, and building a holistic understanding of the ageing process – physiologically, emotionally and psychologically.
This additional funding will support a new phase of the program, CPOP#2, which will see the University of Canberra lead an extensive partnership of eight universities across Australia (the University of the Sunshine Coast, Edith Cowan University, Curtin University, the University of Sydney, Southern Cross University, Central Queensland University and the University of Tasmania), as well as numerous health service partners across the country, to recognise and implement gerontological nursing career pathways.
The first phase of the CPOP program was a four-university consortium (University of Wollongong, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University) which supported 1,016 placements and upskilled 127 Clinical Facilitators in 113 different health service locations, across three states and territories.
The success of the CPOP program is testament to the strength of university and industry partnerships. The program draws on the expertise of both educators and registered nurses to help build the capability of the next generation of gerontology nurses.
Professor Rachel Gibson, Executive Dean at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Faculty of Health, said the CPOP program delivers best practice education in gerontological nursing.
“It’s exciting to have gerontological nursing recognised in this way, and for the University of Canberra to lead the increase in nursing specialisation in ageing across the country,” Professor Gibson said.
“This new grant enables ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to expand a successful program that is changing the care experience for older Australians, and making positive career pathways in aged care more visible for early career nurses.”
Professor of Gerontological Nursing and CPOP program lead Dr Kasia Bail said that caring for older people involves managing complex and competing priorities. From leading interdisciplinary health teams, managing multiple comorbidities and embedding ‘dignity of risk’ into practice, to support patient autonomy.
“It’s so important that the next generation of nurses gain skills, knowledge and confidence in managing the care of older people, to meet the needs of the ageing population,” Professor Bail said.
“The CPOP program helps educators, universities and health services support students to delve into the life-changing specialisation of gerontology, and thrive on the person-centred care they are able to deliver.”
Dr Victoria Traynor, Professor of Healthy Ageing at University of the Sunshine Coast, and Professor of Dementia with Warrigal, who also led the development of the Gerontological Nursing Competencies on which CPOP is based, said the first phase of the program had proven a resounding success in its ability to cultivate a love and respect for the specialisation of gerontological nursing.
“This project provides invaluable opportunities to show case the extensive scope of practice required in gerontological nursing,” Professor Traynor said.
“Often, the career opportunities within gerontological nursing go unrecognised. This project provides students with expert facilitation across community, acute and residential aged care workplace and clinical practice experiences, to demonstrate the extensive range of skills required by gerontological nurses.”
CPOP#2 is embedded in the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT) at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The Centre comprises a cross-disciplinary team of researchers with a focus on multicomponent care, digital and assistive technology, the connection between person and place, and a knowledge translation approach – all in order to maximise impact on policy and practice for community benefit.
More information about gerontological nursing and the program can be found on the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø website: /faculties/health/carat/cpop.