School Nurses Handbook
APNA developed this handbook to support school nurses. It serves as a comprehensive tool, guiding them in best practice guidelines, evidence-based practices and providing essential resources.
Tailored placement opportunities for nursing students
Flexible placement solutions that meet your students where they are - and where they want to go.
APNA’s Tailored Placements give education providers flexible, customised clinical placement options that align with curriculum needs and support students completing their final‑year or capstone units. We partner with universities and TAFEs to source opportunities across rural, remote, regional, community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.
These placements are designed around what your students need, whether that’s experience in a specific setting, a preferred location, or a unique learning opportunity that builds clinical confidence. APNA’s team works with you to identify suitable options and make the process easier, more flexible, and more supportive.
Please note that APNA helps to source placement solutions, but does not offer support in arranging living expenses and accommodations associated with the placement.
Submit an expression of interest
Successful tailored placement stories
APNA has supported successful tailored placements across Australia, including partnerships in Inverell (NSW), Maningrida (NT) and Kintore (NT). These experiences demonstrate the value of flexible, community‑focused primary health care learning.
Case study: Building clinical confidence in remote practice
Student nurse Sheryl Canales Fitzmaurice completed her final four‑week placement at Pintupi Homelands Health Service in Kintore, NT, through APNA’s National Nursing Clinical Placement Program. The remote primary health care placement helped her build clinical confidence, cultural capability, and a clearer sense of direction for her future practice.
“In a month, it gave me more confidence. I became adaptable and I feel connected to the people and the culture.”
Case study: From the city to the outback
Nursing student Elise Sims completed a four‑week remote placement in Maningrida, an Indigenous community in West Arnhem Land, through APNA’s National Nursing Clinical Placements Program. Supported by APNA and hosted by Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation (MHSAC), the placement offered Elise a chance to learn in a culturally rich, community‑led primary health care setting- an experience that ultimately reshaped her career direction.
“After this experience, I’ve fallen in love with remote area nursing, and that’s what I want to do.”
Case Study: Scholarship opens doors for First Nations nursing students
First Nations nursing student Dakota Callister completed a four‑week clinical placement on Kamilaroi Country at Armajun Aboriginal Health Service in Inverell, NSW. Supported through a scholarship offered by APNA and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN), the placement strengthened her cultural capability, clinical skills and confidence- while keeping her connected to her community, family and her Country.
"I've done placements in Coffs Harbour, Tweed Heads in those really big hospitals and I really did enjoy it, ... but working in rural is just a whole other thing. It was really insightful. It was amazing. I definitely do see myself working in rural [in the future]."
Partner with us
APNA is here to support you in creating high‑quality, meaningful clinical placements for your students. If you have any questions, reach out to our placements team.
Email us Submit an expression of interest
Professional Indemnity Insurance
You can add APNA-Member Professional Indemnity Insurance to your membership, when you join APNA.