How to become a Nurse - Enrolled

Enrolled nurses, under the direction and supervision of registered nurses, assist with the provision of acute, preventative, curative and rehabilitative nursing care in hospitals, aged-care facilities, the community and other healthcare settings.

Personal requirements for a Nurse - Enrolled

Good communication skills
Tolerant, patient and tactful when dealing with people of different backgrounds, ages and cultures
Able to follow instructions precisely
Able to work as part of a team
Able to cope with the physical and psychological demands of the job
Able to solve problems and make decisions

Education & Training for a Nurse - Enrolled

To become an enrolled nurse you usually have to complete a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

Additional information

Before undertaking the clinical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid Certificate and immunisations, and undergo a Working with Children Check. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.It is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia before practising as an enrolled nurse in any state or territory of Australia. For full details, see the board's website.Opportunities exist for enrolled nurses to build on their skills and training in specific nursing areas. Courses are conducted according to local needs and include acute care, child and family health, community nursing, rehabilitation nursing, wound management, perioperative nursing and disability nursing. Enrolled nurses may be entitled to special entry conditions when applying for undergraduate registered nursing courses.

Duties & Tasks of a Nurse - Enrolled

Enrolled nurses:

Assist with initial and ongoing health assessments and the maintenance of patients' health
Observe, measure and record patients' conditions (their temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, for example)
Report changes in patients' conditions
Attend to patients' hygiene and comfort by assisting with bathing, showering, dressing and bed-making
Assist patients with meals when required
Assist patients with rehabilitation exercises and programs
Assist in the care of wounds
Assist in emergency situations
Assist in providing education on health and lifestyle issues
Maintain a safe environment for patients and assist with the prevention of injuries.

Tasks

Providing advice and training on infant care to parents of newborn infants
Providing emotional support to parents of newborn infants
Assessing, planning and implementing nursing care for patients according to accepted nursing practice and standards
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
Providing interventions, treatments and therapies such as administering medications, and monitoring responses to treatments and care plans
Bathing, feeding, changing and settling newborn infants

Working conditions for a Nurse - Enrolled

Enrolled nurses may be required to work shifts involving nights, weekends and public holidays.

Employment Opportunities for a Nurse - Enrolled

Enrolled nurses may be employed in acute care; general and mental health hospitals; residential aged-care facilities; hostels; extended care facilities; and occasionally in community service settings.

Specializations

Nurse - Enrolled

Average age
43
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
89% female
Average full-time
41 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
High skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
41%
Employment Size
41,600
Employment by state
ACT: 1.0%
NSW: 24.2%
NT: 0.7%
QLD: 20.9%
SA: 14.3%
TAS: 2.6%
VIC: 27.5%
WA: 8.8%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.3%
20-24: 7.6%
25-34: 19.1%
35-44: 18.2%
45-54: 27.2%
55-59: 15.5%
60-64: 9%
65 and Over: 2.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 66.7%
Bachelor degree: 7.6%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 19.9%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1.2%
Year 10 and below: 1.4%
Year 11: 0.6%
Year 12: 2.5%
Years 11 & 10: 0%