The Curtin School of Nursing & Midwifery Clinical Placement Office (CPO) is and has been allocating students on practical placements in excess of 30km from their place of residence without consultation.

Students are being allocated placements which would result in 3+ hours on public transport, often resulting in journeys home late at night or face spending hundreds of dollars in fuel for their private vehicle during practical placement rotation.

Considering the significant changes to the cost of living, a student's pre-existing financial responsibilities with limited to no income for the period of placement (as not everyone qualifies for Government assistance) and familial commitments, it is evident to see that placements such as this are not conducive to fostering a healthy work/study/life balance.

Correspondence with the Curtin University Clinical Placement Office (CPO) suggests a lack of care towards their students' financial and mental well-being, which for an institution that prides itself on its core values and being in the top 1% of universities worldwide is disappointing to see, especially in an environment with a current nursing shortage.

We understand the strain the CPO is and has been under with organising placements during the COVID-19 pandemic, having only two members of staff this year, but these placement practices place unnecessary strain on your students.

We ask for the Curtin School of Nursing & Midwifery CPO change it’s current procedure and take greater care whilst allocating practical placements.