The Albanese Labor Government has committed to progressing scoping work to provide greater access to and consistency to the Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing/Midwifery (RUSON/M) employment models if elected.

The successful model launched in Victoria in 2016 was extended to midwives in 2020, following strong advocacy by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery (ANMF Victorian Branch). The program has helped reduce workload pressure for registered nurses, support transition to practice, and develop a sustainable nursing workforce, and enhance the patient’s experience.

What is a RUSON?

The RUSON/M model enables second and third-year registered undergraduate nursing and midwifery students to work across various public health settings, including acute, subacute and aged care, to help nurses and midwives provide care. Covered by an Enterprise Agreement, and working under the supervision of RNs/RMs, the role typically involves duties like assisting patients with daily living activities such as personal grooming and toileting, and keeping wards organised and safe.

Essentially, Victoria’s state government-funded RUSON/M paid employment models support the transition to practice for the next generation of nurses and midwives by exposing them to real-world workplaces beyond their mandated clinical placements – delivering a range of proven benefits. These include improved patient-centred care, improved RUSON knowledge, confidence and work readiness, and enhanced teamwork.

Read Victoria’s RUSON Employment and implementation guide here

Other states quickly followed Victoria’s successful implementation of the RUSON/M models, including Queensland, which has similar models titled Undergraduate students in Nursing (USiN) and Undergraduate students in Midwifery (USiM).