News

Kirsten Bolinger
Editorial intern

A record number of students are studying at Avondale this semester as the college continues to increase enrolment.

The 1294 students is 19 up on the previous record set in semester one this past year and 21 up on semester one this year. However, when measured as equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL), the number is down--534.44 compared to 557.89 in semester one--although it is up on the same time this past year.

The college's Sydney campus recorded increases in EFTSL and in enrolment. EFTSL is up from 101.92 in semester one to 121.50, while enrolment grew from 230 to a record 277. The decrease in enrolment on the Lake Macquarie campus from 1043 to 1017 is predominantly because first-year nursing students transfer to Sydney to complete their course. Of the 277 students, 240--also a record--are undergraduates, ensuring the Bachelor of Nursing continues as the most popular course.

MALE NURSING ENROLMENT DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
The course is particularly popular with males, with an equal record number of 54 studying this semester. At 22.5 per cent of the enrolment, this is more than double the national average, which is, according to a 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census, 9.7 per cent.

"It appears that this community group gives higher priority to service-orientated professions and one explanation for this would be related to what a Christian-orientated group sees as more important in life," says Dr Paul Race, dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Health. "Work is not just about chasing money but also about doing something rewarding and satisfying and meaningful to the lives of others."

The theory has credibility as Avondale, according to director of advancement Lorin Bradford, does not gender specify its marketing of the course.

Dr Alison Smedley, a senior lecturer and assistant course coordinator in the faculty, says male nurses play an important role in the nursing community. "They bring a different view to the nursing profession and, after all, it's not only women who can care for others."

Nursing student Matthew Barbosa agrees. "I like the idea of travelling a lot and having good job opportunities," he says, "and, of course, I want to help people."--with Brenton Stacey

Credit: Ann Stafford