Diploma of Nursing

(Enrolled Nursing)

Admission requirements

You are eligible if:

* you have successfully completed the Australian year 12 including passes in mathematics and biology, or equivalent in your country
* No previous experience in health/nursing required

* Interviews for onshore applicants if required

* you have achieved a minimum of either:
* IELTS 6 academic (no band score less than 6.0).
* TOEFL computer based 232 (minimum TWE 5.0);
* TOEFL internet based 90 (minimum 20 in all sections);
* PTE Academic 58 (no score lower than 50); or
* Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) 52.

Intake

February and July

Books and equipment (AUD)

Supplied through the materials fees, however students will be required to supply their own personal stationery.

Material fees (AUD)

$1,200. Students will be supplied with text books, nursing kit, shirt, manuals, workbook and learning resources.

Study pathways

On completion of the diploma, graduates may be eligible to continue their study in:

* Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University

Career pathways

On completion of the diploma, graduates may seek employment as an enrolled nurse - subject to registration - in the health areas of:

* Aged care
* General hospitals
* Community nursing

Registration as a nurse in Australia requires IELTS 7.0 (academic) across all bands or a B in all skill areas of the OET.

Course structure

This qualification covers the application of nursing skills and knowledge required to be eligible for registration with the Australian national nursing and midwifery regulatory authority.

In a typical week, Diploma of Nursing students will usually attend classes four days per week with approximately 60 percent theory and 40 percent coursework practical placement. Classes will be scheduled between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Coursework practical placement is usually shift work between the hours of 7am to 3.30pm and 1pm to 9.30pm.

The teaching methods used include lectures, class discussions, flexible delivery, group work and coursework practical placement. The assessment methods include tests, assignments, class presentations, posters, reports, skills assessment, work sheets and coursework practical placement.

Special Note: This course has a clinical component and prior to undertaking the placements all students must obtain a Victorian Police Check, a Working with Children clearance (WWC) and prescribed vaccinations. A list of vaccinations required is supplied by the Institute. Students will be responsible for the costs associated with requirements. If placements are undertaken outside of metropolitan Melbourne any ccommodation costs that may be incurred will be the responsibility of the student.

Major study areas

* Occupational health and safety
* Infection prevention
* Cultural diversity
* Indigenous health
* Law and ethics
* Client assessment
* Wound management
* Medications
* Professional nursing
* Communications skills
* Critical thinking
* Mental health
* Chronic health
* Older clients
* Australian healthcare system
* First aid
* Electro Cardio Graphy
* Mentoring
* Mother and Baby
* Palliative care

Units

Work in the nursing profession
Apply effective communication skills in nursing practice
Comply with infection control policies and procedures in health work
Contribute to occupational health and safety processes
Work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers
Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
Confirm physical health status
Analyse health information
Contribute to client assessment and developing nursing care plans
Implement and evaluate a plan of nursing care
Contribute to the complex nursing care of clients
Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment
Administer and monitor medications in the work environment
Apply reflective practice, critical thinking and analysis in health
Implement and monitor nursing care for consumers with mental health conditions
Implement and monitor nursing care for clients with acute health problems
Implement and monitor nursing care for clients with chronic health problems
Implement and monitor nursing care for older clients
Apply understanding of the Australian health care system
Apply first aid
Assess clients and manage client care
Provide mentoring support to colleagues
Apply research skills within a contemporary health environment
Provide nursing care for clients requiring palliative care
Practise in the domiciliary health care environment