Question

Discuss how Enrolled Nursing Education has evolved over the decades. You may want to consider the transition from hospital-based to the higher education sector.

Answer 1

An enrolled nurse is a person who has successfully completed an education program of study accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the NMBA.The enrolled nurse provides nursing care, working under the direction, delegation and supervision of the registered nurse.

Enrolled nurses work under the direction, delegation and supervision of registered nurses. That supervision may be direct or indirect according to the nature of the work delegated. The registered nurse is responsible for delegating appropriately to the enrolled nurse within the framework of the enrolled nurses’ knowledge, skill,education and experience and the context of the nursing care to be provided. At all times, the enrolled nurse remains accountable for their own actions and is responsible to the registered nurse for all delegated functions.

ENs must complete a vocational Diploma of Nursing offered face- to-face or online by a registered VET training organisation.ENs may undertake additional training by completing an advanced diploma.ENs who wish to advance in their careers are better off continuing their studies in higher education.

The training package sets out the skills and knowledge expected of an EN; these are known as competencies. A student who acquires a certain number of “units of competency” and completes a minimum of 400 hours of clinical experience, qualifies for the diploma. The training package, which is endorsed by federal and state governments, is offered nationally.