Need for Disability Care Nurses

Disability care nurses help disabled people to improve their qualityof life. Besides disabled people, their patients also include people recovering from injury. In 2018,about 1.3 million people reported having a disability in New South Wales alone.

Majority of the patients of disability care nurses are elderly citizens. The elderly population, 65 and above, made up 16.21% of the total in 2020. In 2010, this figure was 13.38%, while in 2015 it was 14.85%. As the elderly population in Australia continues to grow, there is an increased need for disability care.

How can a disability care nurse help?

Disability care nurses help in many different ways:

• Create and implement the care plan for patients according to nursing standards
• Document medication intake, vital stats and other important information
• Assess the progress of treatment given to the patient
• Collaborate with other health professionals treating the patient
• Educate the patient and their family about the treatment and its outcomes
• Supervise other nursing professionals

Like their job responsibilities, disability care nurses find work in a variety of settings. They are employed by hospitals, nursing homes and also provide in-home care.

Qualifications for becoming a registered nurse

One way to become a disability care nurse is to do a bachelors degree in nursing. The courses offered by multiple universities across the country. the duration of the bachelors degree it’s normally three years. You can search for courses in rehabilitation on a site like course seeker. A bachelor’s degree also opens up options for higher, more specialized studies in nursing.

Besides education, you also need to be a strong communicator. Nursing involves personal communication with patients on a regular basis. You need to convey important information about treatment procedures, medication, and aftercare to patients. You also need to explain the patient’s progress to your healthcare team. Another important quality is to be able to work as part of a team.

Registration requirements for registered nurses (RNs)

After completing your bachelor’s degree, the next step is to register with the Nursing and Midwife Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse (RN). If you’ve completed your education from abroad, you’ll undergo an Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA). As a result of this assessment, you can take to exams to get your nursing registration.

The first exam is The National Council Licensure Examination. Passing the exam means you are ready to be licenced as an entry-level nurse. The second test is called the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and involves objective evaluation and direct observation.