Rn qualifications
How to Start your Nursing Career in Australia for Overseas Trained Nurses

If you are an Overseas Trained Nurse looking to start your Nursing Career in Australia, then this article will provide you with information regarding what is required to gain nursing registration and work in Australia.
A nursing shortage is being experienced worldwide and Australia is not immune to this problem. Nurses are the single largest group of health professionals in Australia. Health care and social assistance jobs account for more than 10% of the Australian job market, with most jobs concentrated on the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne, followed by Perth. Despite this, a national shortage of nurses exists in every single nursing specialty, as well as in remote and regional locations.
Nurses in the Australian health care system
There are two types of nurses in the Australian health system, the Enrolled Nurse (EN) and the Registered Nurse (RN). It must also be noted that Midwifery in Australia is a separate profession to nursing.
What is Enrolled Nurse (EN) in Australia?
• Also referred to as a Division 2 Nurse
• Has not completed a nursing degree
• Has completed, at minimum, a diploma of nursing qualification
• Has less authority in a health setting
• Does not work in a supervisory role
• Will not personally be able to create and oversee management plans of a patient
• Limited scope of practice as a nurse
Registered Nurse (RN) in Australia?
• Also referred to as a Division 1 Nurse
• Generally, someone who has completed a nursing degree
• Responsible for the creation of patient management and care plans
• The next professional stage from being an EN
Psychiatric / Mental Health Nurses are also registered as a Division 1 RN. However, if the individual has only undertaken a mental health qualification, for example, a Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or a Bachelor of Mental Health Nursing, a notation will be placed against the individual’s registration stating they are solely qualified in the area of mental health nursing. This means the individual will be restricted from practicing in the role of a mental health nurse only.
Roles for the EN and RN
Nursing career in Australia
Australia is full of opportunities to develop your nursing career in rewarding and exclusive healthcare settings that are outside hospital walls. The EN and RN work in a variety of healthcare and other settings within the Australian, including:
• Hospital settings
• Cosmetic procedures
• Primary health
• Correctional settings
• Military
• Schools
• Immunization providers
• Aged care homes
• Nursing lectures in educational institutions such as universities
• Various other healthcare facilities.
Midwives
In Australia, midwives are registered as a separate profession.
Depending on the qualifications (if you are a dual trained nurse midwife), you may be eligible for registration as both a registered nurse and midwife or only as a nurse. Registration is also possible for a midwife only, for overseas trained midwives who have a Bachelor of Midwifery degree or equivalent, from a recognized education provider.
Roles for the Midwife
Midwives in Australia work in a variety of settings including:
• Outpatient clinics
• Private midwifery practice
• Antenatal and postnatal wards
• Women’s health
• Maternal and child health services
• Breastfeeding education
• Special care nurseries
• Birthing suite
• Family planning services

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