Tom Ingleton
Second-year La Trobe nursing student Samiksha Mutreja knows the strain of juggling unpaid placements and living costs– she gave up her dream of becoming a midwife because of it.
Now, a $1000 bursary has offered her much-needed relief– and a message for her peers: “apply.”
As the cost of living bites, nursing students like Samiksha Mutreja are being squeezed by unpaid clinical placements that leave little room for paid work.
Originally enrolled in a double degree in nursing and midwifery at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus, Ms Mutreja was forced to switch to a single nursing degree after struggling to balance placement demands with employment.
Midwifery students are expected to complete over 1800 hours of placement across their course– more than double the standard 800 hours for nursing.
“Employers weren’t willing to be flexible with time off for placements, so I had to leave my job,” Ms Mutreja said.
“It’s been very difficult being jobless while studying– Centre link doesn’t go far, and I still have car payments.”
But help has arrived in the form of the Bank First Nursing and Midwifery Bursary, which awarded $1000 each to two La Trobe nursing students, including Samiksha, and one student from the Rural Health School.
Applications for the final bursary open May 5 and close June 29.
“My placement is in May, so this bursary will really help with transport and parking– which can cost more than $10 a day,” Ms Mutreja said.
La Trobe’s Dean of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Marie Gerdtz, said financial support like the Bank First bursary allows students to focus on vital hands-on learning without extra stress.
Bank First Chief executive Michelle Bagnall added: “We know how real cost of living pressures are– especially for essential workers like nurses. These scholarships offer breathing space so students can focus on their future.”
More information: latrobe.edu.au/study/scholarships
