Education and training/entrance requirements

​To become a nurse practitioner, you must first become a qualified registered nurse. You must also complete a minimum of three years of clinical practice in a selected specialisation, and obtain a postgraduate qualification in nursing (nurse practitioner).
  
To work as a nurse practitioner in Australia, you must obtain professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and hold a current Working with Children Check issued by the Working with Children Screening Unit of the Department of Community Services.

Enrolled nurses assist in the provision of nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse. They may work in one of the State's many hospitals, in aged-care facilities or other health-care settings. They assist with health assessments, measure and record the temperature, pulse or blood pressure of patients, administer medications, and attend to patients' comfort or hygiene needs.

Enrolled nurses may also assist in emergency situations and rehabilitation exercises, and may provide patients with health education.

Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses provide nursing care to patients in hospitals, aged care and other health care facilities and in the community, and assist parents in providing care to newborn infants under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Midwife. Provides nursing care to patients in a variety of health, aged care, welfare and community settings under the supervision of Registered Nurses.

Registration or licensing is required.

ANZSCO ID: 411411

Alternative names: Mothercraft Nurse, Nursing Assistant (NZ), Practice Nurse

Specialisations: Medical Assistant (Defence)

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• excellent communication and listening skills
• good organisation and time management skills
• decision-making and problem-solving skills
• compassion and the ability to empathise with patients
• an interest in patient health.

(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks 

• assessing, planning and implementing nursing care for patients according to accepted nursing practice and standards
• providing interventions, treatments and therapies such as administering medications, and monitoring responses to treatments and care plans
• assisting Registered Nurses and other team members to coordinate and evaluate care provided
• promoting and assisting in health education activities for the prevention of ill health
• bathing, feeding, changing and settling newborn infants
• providing advice and training on infant care to parents of newborn infants
• providing emotional support to parents of newborn infants

Working conditions

Enrolled nurses may work in general medical practices, community health practices, hospitals, aged-care facilities or after-hour clinics. They are expected to adhere to the strict rules and regulations necessary to ensure that these environments are kept safe and sterile. Enrolled nurses may be exposed to bodily fluids and other unsanitary or hazardous materials, so must wear any necessary safety clothing. Depending on the organisation for which they work, they may be required to work long shifts, odd hours and weekends.

Tools and technologies

As they work in a medical environment, enrolled nurses need to be familiar with medical and surgical instruments such as thermometers, stethoscopes and otoscopes for examining ears, as well as specialist machines such as electrocardiographs (ECGs) and other monitoring equipment. They also need to know how to correctly apply dressings to wounds and plaster to make casts, and how to administer immunisations and vaccines using syringes. They usually also need to be familiar with computers for the entry of patient data into electronic record keeping systems.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an enrolled nurse, you need to complete a VET qualification in nursing. ​The Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled – Division 2 Nursing) is offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

To work as an enrolled nurse in Australia, you must obtain professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. You also need to obtain a Working with Children Check issued by the Working with Children Screening Unit of the Department of Community Services.

Assistants in nursing help registered nurses to give general patient care. They assist nursing staff by supporting patients with tasks like helping them with their hygiene eg showering and shaving, meal set up and feeding, performing basic procedures such as monitoring blood pressure and applying and changing simple dressings, assisting them to move into and out of bed, and to mobilise around the ward.

ANZSCO ID &description: 423312: Provides limited patient care under the direction of nursing staff.

Alternative names: Nursing Support Worker, Nurses' Aide, Nursing Assistant, Assistant in Nursing,

Specialisations: Paramedical Aide

Knowledge, skills and attributes

An Assistant in Nursing needs:

• good communication skills
• to be physically fit
• ability to follow instructions
• patience
• a caring attitude

(Source: inquinte)

Duties and Tasks

• assisting patients with their personal care needs such as showering, dressing and eating
• assisting patients with their mobility and communication needs
• participating in planning the care of individuals
• following therapy plans such as interventions to assist those with dementia and behavioural problems
• observing and reporting changes in patients' condition, and reporting complaints about care
• assisting with rehabilitation exercises, basic treatment and delivering medications
• providing direct support and assistance to therapists

Working conditions
  
Assistants in nursing may be required to work evenings, weekends, public holidays or rostered shifts.

Tools and technologies

Assistants in nursing can be required to use a range of tools and technologies including: lifting aids, shower chairs, personal hygiene tools eg shaver, nail trimmers.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an assistant in nursing you usually need a formal qualification in health services assistance. The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is offered at TAFE Colleges and registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a traineeship. The health service assistance traineeship takes 12 months to complete and is available as a school-based traineeship.

A National Police Certificate is needed when seeking employment in aged care homes. To work with children in Australia, you must obtain a Working with Children Check.

The primary role of the School Nurse is to manage the health of students and as required staff and visitors. School nurses oversee the emotional, mental, physical and social health of students. School nurses may work at any level of education from preschool to college. They provide students with basic health services throughout the school day. School nurses also manage students who have chronic health conditions and students with disabilities. This includes giving them medication as needed and working with parents and teachers to create and enforce care plans.
  
The School Nurse is responsible for maintaining programmes which protect and maintain the health and safety of the school community within the framework of the school’s philosophy.

ANZSCO ID: 2544

Specialisations: Primary and Secondary School Nurses

Primary school nurses play a vital role in the early childhood sector, which supports the development, education, health and wellbeing of young children and their families. Primary school nurses work for the States and Territories Governments and in a variety of government and non-government primary schools in metropolitan, regional or rural locations. They promote child health and wellbeing and assist in early identification of children with potential health related learning difficulties.

Primary school nurses provide primary health care, education and support for school communities. This includes Health screening in primary schools as part of a visiting service; and, Health promotion and primary health prevention programs.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Anita Greco, school nurse, shows student how to manage Asthma
(Source: ANMJ)

Duties and Tasks

• Developing and maintaining positive interpersonal communication with students
• Initiating/collaborating in Team Building processes
• Building effective communication links within school community
• Modelling cheerful, prompt and efficient service
• Promotes and protects the optimal health status of students
• Develops policies, procedures and standards for health procedures
•  Monitors the health status of the school population
• Provides first aid care and access to medically prescribed services
•  Provides health education to students
•  Provides health assessments
•  Develops and implements health care plans
•  Provides information for modification of school programmes to students’ health needs
•  Monitor student medication and health plans ensuring they are regularly updated
•  Identify and attend to risk management issues arising out of school activities relating to first aid
•  Produces and publishes annual information and management plans for students with Anaphylaxis, Diabetes and Epilepsy
•  Annually updates student records
•  Promotes and assists in control of communicable diseases through preventative Immunisation programmes, early detection, surveillance and reporting of contagious diseases
•  Promotes immunisation in the school population
•  Coordinate student vaccinations with State & Territories' Health and liaise with administration
•  Coordinate the Flu vaccination programs for school staff
• Acts as a Resource Person for Staff
• Provides health counselling and support for staff
•  Ensure that the availability of the Nurse and relevant first aid personnel is communicated (such as offsite for camps)
•  Organize and deliver Senior First Aid and First Aid Refresher training to school personnel
•  Complies with documentation, legislative and policy requirements.
•  Participates in WHS meetings and risk management committee requirements
• Organize the upkeep of medical equipment and first aid supplies at various locations throughout the school
• Maintains student medical records and provides all statistical records regarding illness/injury reporting
• Maintaining confidentiality in respect of all information relating to the students and the school

Working conditions
   
Working within School Term time, the registered School Nurse is responsible for delivering a safe standard of nursing care to students and staff, and student health-related advice to staff in accordance with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) / Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia. They usually work from 8.00am to 5.00pm during Term time.
   
The registered School Nurse is part of the pastoral care team for students. The registered School Nurse reports to the Principal and has key working relationships with the Assistant Principal, the management team, Director of Student Wellbeing, and School Counsellors.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Current Nurses Board Registration- Registered Nurse Division 1; First Aid Certification- updated 3 yearly; Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification; A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse; Current driver’s licence; Satisfy a Working with Children Check; and, a high standard of written English is required.

Some schools prefer to also have school nurses qualifications and experience to: Anaphylaxis and Asthma qualifications; Knowledge and ability to abide by the School Nursing Professional Practice Standards; Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Health; and, Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety / Workplace Health & Safety.

Employment Opportunities
  
Employment prospects in the early childhood and nursing sectors are strong and growing. Nursing is a skills shortage area.

Emerging Job