NURSING EDUCATION

This section provides useful information to those seeking entry or re-entry / refresher as an Registered or Enrolled Nurse.

• Enrolled Nursing Education : Pre-Enrolment and Post Enrolment
• Refresher / Re-entry Programs for Registered and Enrolled Nurses

Enrolled Nurse Education

Royal Adelaide Hospital through Staff Development offers a range of opportunities for enrolled nurse education and professional development, including pre-enrolment.

PRE-ENROLMENT EDUCATION

Recognition of the changing role of the enrolled nurse has required review of pre-enrolment education across South Australia, with the adoption of a Diploma as the requirement for pre-enrolment education.

• Certificate IV in Health – Nursing: This program has currently been offered as Certificate IV in Health – Nursing, Vocational Education Training (VET) award, meeting national accreditation standards.   A t RAH our final intake for this program occurred in 2003, current students must complete this program by the end of December 2004.  After this date the Certificate IV in Health – Nursing will no longer exist. 

• Pre-Enrolment Diploma: We anticipate offering the Diploma qualification for pre-enrolment in the later part of 2004 following accreditation.  It is envisaged that the new course will be of 16–18 month's duration to reflect the greater depth of knowledge and skills contained in the Diploma.  Recruitment for this program will occur several months before the commencement date.  

Registrations of interest in the Pre-Enrolment Diploma can be made to Staff Development Department reception either

Email: or Telephone: (08) 8222 5107.

As course information becomes available registrants will be contacted regarding information sessions and enrolment for the program.

POST-ENROLMENT EDUCATION

• Post-Enrolment Diploma :  Staff Development is creating an opportunity for currently enrolled nurses to upgrade their current educational qualifications to a Diploma qualification. We anticipate offering this program during the first half of 2004, following accreditation.

The Post-Enrolment Diploma will consist of selected units of study contained in the Pre-Enrolment Diploma. It is envisaged that if a student were to study each unit the course would be approximately six months in duration.  However the VET system of education allows for each student to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they feel that they already meet the Performance Criteria set out in the curriculum. A RPL information and application package will be available to all nurses applying for the course.

The course units will be delivered through a system of flexible learning. An individual can commence the program as soon as they are accepted into the program. Learning will be facilitated by tutorials, workbooks and worksite projects.

• Advanced Diploma of Enrolled Nursing :  A new educational opportunity for Enrolled Nurses is currently being created.  This is the Advanced Diploma of Enrolled Nursing.  The program is being developed collaboratively with nursing education providers and health industry experts. This program is designed to recognise and advance the knowledge and skills of experienced enrolled nurses. This course will be an opportunity for enrolled nurses to aspire to and gain a higher educational awar d.

To gain entry into the Advanced Diploma the enrolled nurse will need to have completed a Diploma of Enrolled Nursing either Pre-Enrolment or Post-Enrolment. It is anticipated that this program will be available in 2005 subject to accreditation.