ENROLLED NURSING

> Qualifications & Pathways • Traineeships • VET In Schools • Peak Bodies & Key Stakeholders • Resources

NSW Context

To deliver enrolled nursing qualifications, registered training organisations (RTOs) will need to apply to ASQA to have the qualification/s added to their scope of registration. Additionally, RTOs will need to apply to Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for approval (NMBA refers to this as 'accreditation') of their qualifications (NMBA refers to these as 'courses'). Students will only be eligible to enroll with the NMBA and subsequently be employed, if they have a qualification from an approved RTO.

National Accreditation Framework

As required under the National Law the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has approved the ANMAC Standards and Criteria for the Accreditation of Nursing and Midwifery Courses leading to Registration, Enrolment, Endorsement and Authorisation in Australia with ‘Evidence Guide’ for the Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse, Midwife and Nurse Practitioner.These are published on the NMBA website as per s47(7)(a) & (b) of the Health Practitioners Regulation National Law Bill (2009). For all NMBA accreditation standards documentation click here

Immunisation: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the assessment, screening and vaccination requirements of Policy Directive PD 2011_005.

Employment Screening Policy : Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the Employment Screening Policy. This Policy Directive sets out the mandatory requirements and procedures for the undertaking of Employment Screening of preferred applicants seeking employment for paid and unpaid positions, which includes the Working With Children Check, the Aged Care Check and the National Criminal Record Check. Further detail at Policy Directive PD2008_029

Student Clearances for Clinical Placements in NSW Public Health Facilities

NSW Department of Health Employment Screening Policy PD2008_029 requires all students enrolling in courses that involve clinical placements in NSW Public Health Facilities must undertake a National Criminal Record Check and comply with other policy requirements. For details click here

Changes to OH&S

The Commonwealth and each state and territory government have agreed to harmonise their work health and safety laws, including Regulations and Codes of Practice, so that they are similar in each jurisdiction.

The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own work health and safety laws. Although there are many similarities between the laws there are also some differences that can cause confusion. Australian workers should be entitled to the same work health and safety standards, regardless of the jurisdiction in which they operate.

This regulatory inconsistency is being addressed through an intergovernmental agreement(IGA) where, for the first time, governments from each state and territory and the Commonwealth have formally committed to harmonise work health and safety laws by developing and adopting a model Work Health and Safety Act supported by model Regulations and model Codes of Practice. The intention is to deliver the same work health and safety protections to all Australians. For more information click here

Qualifications and Pathways

HLT43407 Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing)

HLT51607 Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing)

HLT61107 Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing)

Recognition

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a significant pathway for candidates to attain a national training package qualification. There has been strong support from Commonwealth and NSW governments for RTOs to find innovative and accessible RPL strategies and approaches.

NSW Department of Education and Training is actively assisting this quest for improved RPL pathways and has worked in partnership across many industry sectors to pilot best practice models of recognition and develop supporting resources. Some of the innovation recognition pathways trialled included group, project and workplace based models.

Resources and further details are available at State Training Services

Traineeships

The Vocational Training Board establishes traineeships in NSW. Through a consultative process between peak industry groups, employers and unions, facilitated by the ITAB, qualifications are identified that meet industry requirements and have appropriate award arrangements. This information is submitted to the Board for the declaration of a vocational training order in accordance with NSW legislation.

As qualifications have a vocational training order established, they are posted on the NSW DET Commissioner’s Bulletin. Further advice is available from NSW DET www.training.nsw.gov.au

The Nursing qualifications in HLT07 Health Training Package have not been established as a traineeships in NSW.

VET in Schools

The Enrolled Nursing qualifications in the HLT07 HealthTraining Package have not been identified as suitable for VET in Schools pathways.

For more information about VET in Schools in NSW visit: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/

The NSW Board of Studies is responsible for the inclusion of training package qualifications in the HSC studies. Further information is available at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au .

Peak Bodies and Key Stakeholders

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)

The statutory authority responsible for the registration of nurses and midwives, the authorisation of nurse practitioners and midwife practitioners, and the enrolment of nurses in Australia.

NSW Nurses’ Association

The registered union for all nurses in New South Wales. The Association represents the industrial interest of nurses employed under all awards and agreements registered in this State in both the public and private sectors. Its role is to protect the interests of nurses and the nursing profession.

Resources

Please contact NSW Community Services and Health ITAB regarding training and assessment resource needs for the qualifications or skills sets in this industry sector.

Other resources may be available from industry peaks, Registered Training Organisations and Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.