Scholarship opens for nurses looking to make a difference

“To make a difference, all it takes is one idea and one person who is willing to do something about it,” says Bonnie Boezeman AO, the benefactor of CEW’s Leadership in Nursing Scholarship.

The scholarship, which has just opened for applications, will be awarded to an Australian woman registered nurse to study a Master of Healthcare Leadership at Southern Cross University in 2024.

A founding member of CEW, the pre-eminent organisation representing Australia's most senior women leaders, Ms Boezeman is passionate about getting more women into roles at decision-making tables to drive progress for all workers.

''Care work, both paid and unpaid, is the backbone of our economy and is vital for the wellbeing of our communities. This workload is largely carried out by women and has been historically undervalued,” Ms Boezeman says.

“The difficult working conditions that nurses endure are a reflection of the broader challenges many Australian women face in their careers, and this is why care industries have become central to CEW’s advocacy efforts.”

Ahead of this year’s Federal Budget, CEW is calling on government to put care at the centre of the economy, by investing in secure and well-paid jobs for healthcare professionals and mandating that nursing students are paid for work placements.

“What I would like to see, personally, is more nurses empowered to be the leaders they want to see in their industry, and it is my hope that the Master of Healthcare Leadership scholarship can embolden someone to do just that,” Ms Boezeman says.

Engaging, flexible and online, the Master of Healthcare Leadership course equips its scholars to demonstrate leadership in complex healthcare settings. Students will learn management and rigorous research skills from industry experts.

The course consists of two years of accelerated part-time study, though the duration may vary depending on the participant’s previous studies and work experience.

Southern Cross University Chancellor Sandra McPhee AM, also a member of CEW, says the course has been designed with flexibility for working nurses to fit into a busy schedule. 

“It allows nurses to engage with the latest evidence base to further develop their confidence and leadership, while extending their skillset to enhance their day-to-day nursing practice,” Chancellor McPhee says. 

“As a long-serving member of Chief Executive Women, I am particularly pleased to celebrate this important partnership with Southern Cross University as we both strive to develop the future health workforce, recognising the critical role that female nurses play in the communities we serve across the nation.”

The 2023 scholarship winner, Lieutenant Colonel Kylie Hasse, is a nurse and senior health officer in the Australian Army who has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

During her deployment in the Middle East she witnessed extensive trauma cases as a result of conflict, treating and coordinating mass-casualty events.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasse says she has worked hard to build her confidence by seeking out education opportunities wherever she could.

“Being a role model for nurses within the defence force and assisting with the growth and development of the profession is something I really value,” she says.

“You can’t be what you can’t see.”

Applications for the 2024 Bonnie Boezeman AO Leadership in Nursing Scholarship are now open and will close on March 3. 

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