Nursing
Nursing is a job where you get to make a difference in people’s lives every day. You will be challenged as no two days will be the same.
You will provide emotional and physical support to patients and their families. There are lots of places you might work including hospitals, medical practices, operating theatres, schools, aged care facilities and the community.
Four roles available are as an assistant in nursing, an enrolled nurse, a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner.
- An assistant in nursing works under the supervision of a registered nurse or a midwife and assists patients with personal care and activities of daily living.
- An enrolled nurse also works under the supervision of a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or midwife and provides nursing care for those with acute and chronic physical and mental health needs.
- A registered nurse is able to work independently and in teams. They are accountable for their own actions and the tasks they delegate to enrolled nurses and assistants in nursing.
- A nurse practitioner is able to practice independently and collaboratively in a multi-discipline team and is primarily a clinical role to improve, manage or prevent health issues.
A career in nursing will be one of lifelong learning. This can include on the job learning, and off the job learning such as further study.
The following pathway shows an option to see if you might like the health industry. At the Certificate III level you can get some hands-on experience. You don’t need to be an assistant in nursing to become an enrolled nurse, and you don’t need to be an enrolled nurse to become a registered nurse. Everyone has their own journey. Where you start and where you end is up to you!
Pathway key:
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Study
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Job Outcomes
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Personal Story
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Further Options
Thinking about starting your journey in health or nursing and not sure if you’ll like it?
AQF 2
With this qualification you could work as a:
- Ward Assistant (hospital)
- Health Support Services Worker
- Health Services Assistant
Potential Certificate III qualifications for assistance roles
AQF 3
With this qualification you could work as an:
With this qualification you could work as an:
Read related personal stories:
Potential Bachelor Degree qualifications for nursing
AQF 7
- At the Bachelor degree level there is the option to complete dual qualifications to register in two health professions. Examples of this include Registered Nurse/Midwife and Registered Nurse/Paramedic.
Postgraduate Certificates qualifications for nursing
AQF8
With these qualifications you could work in:
- Public and private health care organisations
- Child and adolescent, adult, and older person mental health alcohol and other drugs services
- Acute, community, rehabilitation, and long-term care focused settings- Acute, community, rehabilitation, and long-term care focused settings
- Local, State and Commonwealth Government policy areas
- Consumer and carer groups
- Mental health-based research areas
Graduates of qualifications in Mental Health Nursing will be accredited under the Australian College of Mental health Nurses (ACMHN) National Framework for Postgraduate Mental Health Nursing.
Potential Masters qualifications for nursing
AQF9
With these qualifications you could work in:
- Public and private health care organisations
- Child and adolescent, adult, and older person mental health alcohol and other drugs services
- Acute, community, rehabilitation, and long-term care focused settings- Acute, community, rehabilitation, and long-term care focused settings
- Local, State and Commonwealth Government policy areas
- Consumer and carer groups
- Mental health-based research areas
Graduates of qualifications in Mental Health Nursing will be accredited under the Australian College of Mental health Nurses (ACMHN) National Framework for Postgraduate Mental Health Nursing.
Further Options
Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses and Midwives can advance their scope of practice with training and assessment. An Enrolled Nurse can become an Enrolled Nurse Advanced Skills. Registered Nurses have many career options including advanced or specialised clinical practice (such as Mental Health Nursing), education, leadership, system supports and research.
