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A registered nurse (RN) has a high level of expertise and works shoulder to shoulder with doctors, physiotherapists and other professionals caring for the patient. RNs are in high demand in Australia due to an ageing population. They work in a variety of environments including hospitals, general practice clinics, aged care facilities, residential settings, etc.
To become a registered nurse in Australia, you have to complete a bachelor of nursing degree. The degree takes 3 years to complete under the standard plan, but you also can go for the fast-track option to complete it earlier. If you don’t have the time for a full-time nursing program, you can choose a part-time program. Besides theory, the degree also includes professional placements to give you clinical experience before you graduate and enter the workforce.
To practise as a RN, you apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). And, as a regulated health professional, you’re accountable to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The NMBA has Registered nurse standards for practice. These standards should be present in your current practice and also in the planning of your practice. There are a total of 7 standards, all of which are linked to each other.
Besides forming professional relationships with patients and colleagues, the RN also needs to have an analytical mind. They should be comprehensive and systematic in their assessment of resources and information. The points making up standard 4 include:
4.1 conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
4.2 uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
4.3 works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/ or for referral, and
4.4 assesses the resources available to inform planning.
As a RN, you must take the nursing standards with other relevant codes, standards, and regulations of the NMBA.
Note: If you’re an overseas nurse looking to work in Australia, you must undergo an NMBA assessment. This assessment is for nurses whose qualification does not match the Australian nursing education. It includes an online exam and a practical exam. But, before the exam, there’s an online system where you can check for yourself. This self-check is followed by an orientation programme for those selected for further assessment..
Source: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx
