Nursing - Specialised Roles
Job Description
A career in Nursing can be a rewarding career path. You can work at varying levels progressing your career from Assistant in Nursing (AIN), to Enrolled Nurse, Endorsed Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Unit Manager. You can also specialise in varying fields and specific areas of medicine.
Nurses must have strong communication, empathy and customer service skills, and will assist with managing their patients daily routines, such as showering, toileting, dressing, eating, communicating, mobility, medication and exercise regimes. They also keep accurate patient records and assist in the planning of daily routines and ongoing care regimens.
They work in multidisciplinary teams alongside other skilled professionals including Enrolled and Registered Nurses, Doctors, Surgeons, Specialists, Therapists, Specialty Nurses, Social Workers and many other professionals who provide ongoing care to patients or residents who are sick, disabled, elderly, injured or recovering from surgery.
Nurses predominantly deliver primary health care in hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities, aged care facilities, Government or military institutions, community or school settings, in the home or in outpatient facilities.
Careers Ladder
Qualifications
To specialise in any role in nursing, you first need to become a Registered Nurse in Australia you need to complete a 3-year Bachelor of Nursing, which is available at most Australian universities. Alternatively, for students with previous tertiary qualifications, complete a two-year Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) program. Further study is essential if you are looking to take the next step in your career and advance in specialist nursing roles.
Nurses who specialise in a particular area of medicine may need to complete further studies or specialist training and obtain relevant experience.
All Nurses must apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Registration must be renewed annually.
Attributes
- Approachable
- Autonomous
- Calm
- Cheerful
- Communicator
- Confident
- Courteous
- Determined
- Devoted
- Diligent
- Energetic
- Enthusiastic
- Focused
- Integrity
- Interpersonal
- Organised
- Patient
- Perceptive
- Positive
- Procedural
- Punctual
- Welcoming
Key Skills
- AHPRA Registration
- Nursing
- Aged Care
- Acute Care
- AHPRA Scheduled Medicine Endorsement
- Patient Care
- CPR Certificate
- Time Management
- Care plans
Future Prospects
Registered Nurses can undertake further studies to obtain qualifications and progress their career into more senior positions such as;
Registered Nurses can specialise in other roles, undertaking further studies to obtain qualifications and specialise in a particular area of nursing. Specialised Nursing Roles include:
- Aged Care Nurse
- Alcohol & Other Drug Nurse
- Anaesthetic Nurse
- Cardiac Nurse
- Child and Family Health Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Critical Care & Emergency Nurse
- Flight Nurse
- Infection Control Nurse
- Intensive Care Specialist Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse
- Midwife
- Oncology Nurse
- Paediatric Nurse
- Palliative Care Nurse
- Perioperative Nurse
- Post Operative Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
- Surgical Nurse
- Theatre Nurse
