How to become a nurse in Australia?
A career in Nursing can enrich your life and the lives of others every day; offer diverse challenges; take you around the world; and you could be employed within just months of graduating, as our ageing and growing population means skilled nurses are in demand.
Start by looking at the options of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) or an Enrolled Nurse (EN).
Registered Nurses (RN) have a high level of expertise and responsibility, and they can take on many challenging and rewarding roles. For example, they can be a unit manager, team leader or work in medical administration. The RN has the training and experience to give their patients the highest level of care in a range of complex situations.
To become a Registered Nurse, you will:
- Complete a Bachelor of Nursing.
- Apply to AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency) to practice as an RN. You have to renew your registration annually.
- Work for several years in a general capacity as an RN, and along the way, decide if you want to specialise in, say, Emergency Nursing, Cardiology, Paediatrics or Aged Care. The list is endless.
Enrolled Nurses (EN) work under the supervision of an RN, either directly or indirectly depending on their experience and their work environment. They attend to their patients’ comfort, hygiene and safety. This can involve observing, measuring and recording their patients’ blood pressure and pulse, and reporting changes in their patients’ condition to the RN or to the doctors. The EN can also assist in first aid and emergency situations.
An Enrolled Nurse can work in a range of healthcare environments, such as hospitals, aged-care facilities, welfare organisations, and in the community.
To become an Enrolled Nurse, you will:
- Complete a Diploma of Nursing
- Apply to AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency) to practice as an EN. You have to renew your registration annually.
- Work for a couple of years and decide if you want to further your studies and enrol in a Bachelor of Nursing, or continue as an EN.
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency) regulates Australian nurses in partnership with the NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia).
To work as an RN or EN you must register with AHPRA.
AHPRA: www.ahpra.gov.au NMBA: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
Read a more detail post here: Pathway to become a Nurse in Australia