It's been 30 years since QUT welcomed its first intake of nursing students and during that time there have been many changes.
This month, QUT students past and present will join with members of the nursing fraternity to wind back the clock as they celebrate three decades of higher education for nurses in Queensland.
The milestone is being marked by events including a gala dinner and the release of a commemorative booklet outlining the schools success.
A crowd of more than 200 Queensland nursing professionals will gather for the event, which will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre on September 30.
Two renowned guest speakers will share their perspective on the changing face of the health care industry as part of a forum examining Australian nursing in a global context.
International nurse consultant Fadwa Affara, who has worked as a nurse and nurse educator for more than 25 years, will discuss her time as a director of a nursing regulation project involving more than 80 countries.
Joining her will be Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer Rosemary Bryant, whose extensive career as a nurse and nurse educator has seen her work in leadership roles all around the globe.
QUT's Head of Nursing Professor Helen Edwards said the 30th anniversary celebrations provided an opportunity to highlight the achievements of higher education nursing and the role of QUT in advancing the profession.
"As the oldest nursing school in Queensland, QUT has been at the forefront in delivering programs which seek to extend the role of nursing professionals. '' Professor Edwards said.
"When these courses commenced it represented a time of transition in nursing education which saw the shift in nurse training move from the hospitals into higher education.
"Back then the university was known as QIT (Queensland Institute of Technology and the School of Nursing was based at Gardens Point.
In 1992 we moved across to Kelvin Grove following the completion of a purpose built facility and this year the school has 2600 students and 45 academic staff, spread across two campuses, with the opening of the Caboolture campus in 2007.
"Today, the QUT School of Nursing offers a range of courses covering all aspects of nursing and midwifery including intensive care, emergency nursing, acute care, women's health, ageing, cancer care and paediatrics and focuses on giving students a more holistic experience for practice in their respective fields, '' she said.
"When we started in 1978 we had 51 students enrolled in what was then known as the Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing).
"In the last five years we have graduated 3000 nurses across the full spectrum of courses including five at undergraduate level as well as nine postgraduate speciality courses.
"We have produced many prominent alumni over the past three decades and have also built a strong research reputation, in collaboration with the health industry." Professor Edwards said.
Among them is 2008 Chancellor's Alumni award winner and leading nurse educator Margaret Vider.
Ms Vider, who gained her Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing) and Diploma of Nursing Administration from QIT, was instrumental in having formal nursing education transferred to universities.
She joined the nursing staff at Brisbane's Holy Spirit Hospital in the early 1970s, before becoming the hospital's principal nurse educator, director of nursing and from 1995 until her retirement, its director of mission.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, she too has witnessed many changes in the nursing profession - including the fashions.
Hats and hemlines aside though, she said there was one aspect of the profession that would never change.
"While it's true that the environment of nursing is influenced by changes in society, the one constant that will always exist is that of the relationship between care provider and care recipient, ''said Ms Vider.
"As a nurse you need certain characteristics to care for people, and it is my hope that we keep the emphasis on compassion.''
Today, Ms Vider continues to contribute to the profession and is a member of QUT's Human Research Ethics Committee.
Ms Edwards said it was pleasing to witness the outstanding contribution QUT's nursing graduates had made to the community and healthcare as a whole.
"Our graduates - and the university - can take pride in knowing that their skills are valued and sought after by the professio, said Professor Edwards.
"We've also seen big changes across the country.
"In the last 30 years there has been a virtual explosion in the teaching of nursing in Australia, and we are extremely proud of the work we've done, in developing our courses and research projects and the collaborative relationships we have developed within the health industry.
Next year the school will introduce two new double degrees - the Bachelor of Nursing/ Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic); Bachelor of Nursing/ Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology).
The School will also continue to foster strong research programs to enable industry to collaborate with the university and provide better access to a wider range of resources.
People interested in finding out more about the School of Nursing and its anniversary celebrations can visit www.hlth.qut.edu/nrs
Media contact - Amanda Vine, 07 3138 2130. amanda.vine@qut.edu.au.
***High resolution image available for media use***
