Nurses play a critical part in the Australian healthcare society, and they are in high demand. Individuals who choose this career path enjoy many exciting opportunities as they can specialise in various pathways and industries. But how does one get started?
In Australia, there are several different types of nurses, and how to become one depends on the level of education one has. Read on to learn how to become a nurse.
Learn more about the various nursing degrees available.
Become a Nurse with a Diploma
The diploma pathway is best suited for high school graduates who wish to study nursing, and for adult learners who want to venture into a career in nursing without previous background in the field.
Nursing diplomas are called a Diploma of Nursing, and universities such as RMIT University and Victoria University provide these diplomas. Graduates will be able to register as Enrolled Nurses, which is entry-level nurses in the field of healthcare. A Diploma of Nursing takes around 1.5 years to 2 years to complete, and students who graduate can choose to pursue a degree or start their career as an Enrolled Nurse.
Become a Nurse with a Degree
A nursing degree is generally called a Bachelor of Nursing, and it usually takes 3 years to complete. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing can become Registered Nurses with greater job scopes and responsibilities than an Enrolled Nurse.
There are many different nursing degrees catered to high school graduates, adult learners, and experienced nurses. For example, the University of Sydney has a Bachelor of Nursing program for Year 12 students and diploma graduates. Meanwhile, The University of Notre Dame Australia offers a Bachelor of Nursing (EN Articulation Pathway) for Enrolled Nurses to become Registered Nurses.
3 Steps on How to Become a Nurse: Assistant in Nursing
An Assistant in Nursing is also known as an AIN, Nurse Aide or Nursing Assistant, and they work across various aged care, health care and business sectors. These nurses assist other nurses and midwives in their daily tasks, and they also help patients with their mobility, personal care and feeding.
Step 1: Complete your qualification in Health Assistance
An AIN must have a Health Care related Certificate III. Students can get this certificate through a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course offered by TAFE institutes, such as the TAFE NSW and TAFE WA or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Students taking their undergraduate studies in Nursing can also look for employment as a Nursing Aide while studying.
Step 2: Complete necessary checks and courses (if needed)
Certain Nurse Aide positions may require further checks such as:
- CPR or First Aid Certification
- National Police Check and Working With Children Check
- Basic Life Support Certificate
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
Step 3: Ensure immunisation is complete
Most healthcare and aged care institutions also require proof of vaccinations as per government regulations. So you must check what immunisation is needed as a Nurse Aide.
4 Steps on How to Become a Nurse: Enrolled Nurse
Enrolled Nurses must have a diploma as a minimum. They perform duties such as recording patients’ health, caring for wounds, and other basic nursing care. A Registered Nurse supervises them, and those with qualifications of an Advanced Diploma can undertake more complex duties and venture into other industries.
Step 1: Meet the requirements for a Diploma of Nursing
Entry requirements for a Diploma of Nursing vary between education providers. However, students generally have to be graduates of Year 12 and meet a minimum English requirement set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Step 2: Meet the immunisation and compliance requirements
Once a student has received a placement into a Diploma of Nursing, they must show proof of immunisation that’s needed for all healthcare workers, such as Hepatitis and Tuberculosis. They may also need to get yearly COVID-19 and Influenza vaccine vaccinations.
Besides that, students may also need a valid National Police Check and Working With Children Check and an NDIS Worker Screening Check. However, these requirements can change for different education providers.
Step 3: Complete the Diploma of Nursing
Once the university has approved their immunisations and compliance requirements, students can start their diploma to become Enrolled Nurses. Most diplomas come with clinical placements where students will have hands-on experience in acute care, emergency care, mental health, and many others.
Step 4: Register with AHPRA
Students who have graduated with their diplomas will have to apply to AHPRA and register as Enrolled Nurses.
4 Steps on How to Become a Nurse: Registered Nurse or Midwife
Registered Nurses provide more complex duties such as preparing patients for examinations and administering medications to patients. Being a Registered Nurse requires a degree as a minimum, and it provides students with further career advancement opportunities.
Step 1: Meet the entry requirements for a Bachelor of Nursing
Individuals who want to become Registered Nurses must comply with the English requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Besides that, students must also have the right secondary school qualifications and meet the minimum ATAR to enrol into a Bachelor of Nursing.
Step 2: Meet the immunisation and compliance requirements
Students must show proof of immunisation that’s required for all healthcare workers, such as Hepatitis and Tuberculosis. They may also need to take yearly COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines.
In terms of checks, students will have to hold a valid National Police Check, a Working With Children Check, and in some instances, an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Step 3: Complete your Bachelor of Nursing
Once the immunisation and compliance checks have been approved, students will undergo their 3-year bachelor program. Most degrees have clinical placements to give students hands-on experience in becoming a Registered Nurse.
Step 4: Register with AHPRA
Students who have graduated with their degrees will have to apply to AHPRA to practice as Registered Nurses.
There are many pathways available to becoming a nurse. To get more information about careers and courses in nursing, sign up for our newsletter today for news updates and career placement tips.
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