Published: 2nd February 2021.
Written by Jodie Magrath
A Diploma of Nursing is the qualification you need to begin a career as an enrolled nurse. Whether you plan to work in a hospital setting, in aged care, mental health services or in another health care industry, this course will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed. This course includes practical work placements and residential blocks so you’ll gain necessary real world experience working with patients and other health care providers.
The Diploma of Nursing explores a range of subjects to get you started in your nursing career. You’ll learn to care for people with complex needs with topics like caring for the elderly, palliative care and diabetes management. This course addresses wound management, administering and monitoring medication, first aid and emergency response. You’ll learn how to perform a clinical assessment and find out more about the Australian health system.
Nursing is a challenging but rewarding career. If you enjoy helping other people this could be a great job choice for you. You’ll need to be able to follow directions and work well as part of a team. It’s important that you can communicate well with patients from all backgrounds and display patience and understanding. Nurses work a range of shifts so you’ll need to be able to work nights, weekends and public holidays.
A Diploma of Nursing is an ideal course of study for the following careers:
Enrolled Nurse
An
Enrolled Nurse cares for patients and supports other health care professionals in a range of settings. They provide basic health care by observing and monitoring patients, administering medications and helping patients with tasks such as showering and dressing. They might work in a hospital or health care facility or specialise in an area such as mental health, emergency nursing or community health.
Aged Care Nurse
Aged Care Nurses provide support to elderly patients in an aged care facility or nursing home. They may have to provide medication or observe and monitor patients who are unwell. An Aged Care Nurse will work with other health care professionals and refer their patients for more advanced care when required. Aged Care Nurses may specialise in areas such as palliative care or dementia care.
Rehabilitation Nurse
A
Rehabilitation Nurse assists patients as they recover from accident or injury. They might conduct rehabilitation activities such as physical exercise or fine motor activities. Rehabilitation Nurses work closely with other health professionals and will usually follow a rehabilitation program with their client. They might work with clients in their own home or in a rehabilitation facility.
Higher education pathways
A Diploma of Nursing is a great way to start a nursing career. You might choose to expand your skills to suit your career plans with a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance or a course such as Provide First Aid in Remote Situations. You could also consider an Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Mental Health) or a Certificate IV in Operating Theatre Technical Support.
If you decide to further your nursing career you could enrol in a university degree such as a Bachelor of Nursing or a Bachelor of Nursing Science. These qualifications will deepen your knowledge in your area of specialisation and broaden your career opportunities. A university degree may allow you to take on a nursing position with more responsibility. You may be able to use a Diploma of Nursing as a pathway to these courses.
Getting started
If you’re thinking about enrolling in a Diploma of Nursing, start by requesting information from different course providers. You’ll need to find out about the duration of the course, the costs involved, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. There might be some variation between course providers, so getting all the details will make it easier to compare and find the right course for you. The Diploma of Nursing may be offered online or on campus.