Education and Prerequisites: To become a registered nurse, you need to study nursing at a university. Most universities require you to have completed your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects such as English, mathematics, biology, physics, and chemistry may be required. Some universities may also conduct interviews as part of the admission process. It’s important to check the specific prerequisites and entry requirements of the institutions you are interested in.
Clinical Placements and Certifications: Nursing courses typically include clinical placements where students gain hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Before undertaking these placements, students usually need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid Certificate, and complete necessary immunizations. Additionally, a Working with Children Check may be required. Each institution may have specific requirements, so it’s important to contact them for detailed information.
Registration: After completing your nursing degree, it is a legal requirement to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) before being able to practice as a nurse in any state or territory. Visit the NMBA website for full details on the registration process.
Specializations and Further Education: Once registered, you have the opportunity to pursue further education and specialize in different areas of nursing. There are postgraduate nursing courses available in various clinical specialties such as medical-surgical, mental health, pediatric, emergency, critical care, palliative care, occupational health, and community nursing. Additionally, there are postgraduate courses in nursing management and education.
- Career Progression: With experience and further study, registered nurses may progress to roles such as unit manager or nursing manager. There is an increasing demand for nurses with training and experience in specialized areas due to the variety of specialist services and advancements in medical technology.
Specializations within the Registered Nurse Profession:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: Demonstrates competency in advanced practice or has developed competency in a specific area of specialization.
- Community Health Nurse: Provides nursing care, health counseling, and health promotion activities to individuals, families, and groups in the wider community.
- Mental Health Nurse: Provides nursing care and support to patients with psychological and emotional problems in various healthcare settings.
- Nurse Educator: Assists in designing, implementing, and assessing education programs and provides staff development and educational resources management.
- Nurse Practitioner: Highly skilled and knowledgeable in a specialty field, can work independently, prescribe medications, and conduct tests.
- Nurse Researcher: Conducts research into nursing and health-related issues.
- Practice Nurse: Conducts general treatments in general practice settings, including chronic disease management and health promotion.
Becoming a registered nurse requires dedication, compassion, and strong communication skills. It’s a rewarding profession with a wide range of career opportunities.