Enrolled Nurse

An Enrolled Nurse (EN) works as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other skilled professionals including doctors, surgeons, specialists, therapists, specialty nurses, social workers and many others to provide ongoing patient care to people who are sick, disabled, injured or recovering from surgery. 

The scope of practice for an Enrolled nurse (EN) and Registered nurse (RN) are quite different. The main difference is the qualification including education preparation and experience.  Enrolled Nurses complete a Diploma of Nursing, which is a two-year course, and Registered Nurses complete a Bachelor of Nursing, which is a three year course. 

Enrolled Nurses usually work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.  A Registered Nurse has more responsibility than an Enrolled Nurse.  An RN’s duty includes the practical hands-on tasks like an EN, but it also includes more complex patient care, problem solving, leadership, management roles, education and research.

Enrolled Nurses deliver primary health care predominantly in hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, aged care facilities, Government or military institutions, community or school settings, in the home or in outpatient facilities.

Some of the responsibilities of an Enrolled Nurse include:

• Work under the direct / indirect supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN)
• Perform holistic assessment including observation, and physical examination of patients
• Planning and carrying out nursing care according to accepted nursing practices and standards
• Monitoring the condition and health of patients and record their progress
• Recording vital signs - temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar
• Report any changes in a client’s condition to the Registered Nurse (RN) and doctors
• Providing assistance with personal care - showering, grooming, toileting and eating 
• Assist clients with rehab or exercise programs where applicable
• Plan, implement and evaluate nursing care plan in collaboration with RN and other health care team members to optimise patient outcome
• Assist with general first aid and emergencies
• Encourage and educate clients to lead a healthy lifestyle
• Administer medications based on the Enrolled Nurse (EN) scope of practice
• Promote the safety of self and others in all aspects of nursing practice 

You can specialise in other roles while working as a Nurse, undertaking further studies to obtain qualifications and specialise in a particular area of nursing.