A career in nursing and midwifery

Rebecca NewtonSenior Nursing OfficerNursing and Midwifery Office

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Nursing and midwifery are rewarding professions that can provide many experiences, opportunities and challenges

You can travel You don’t have to be stuck in an office The work is stimulating What you do is satisfying What you do matters – you make a difference You can change where you work

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Employment opportunities

Nurses and midwives are always in demand You can work in the public or private system WA Health offers excellent graduate programs You can work in metropolitan, regional areas,

interstate or overseas You can work in a hospital, community, clinic,

school, cruise ship, mine site, university and…..

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Some areas nurses work inAboriginal health

burns

cardiology (heart)

clinical nursing

community

continence

dementia

diabetes education

dialysis

domiciliary (nursing care in the home)

education (hospital or university based)

emergency

family health

gerontology/aged care

infection control

intensive care

management

medical nursing

mental health

neonatal intensive care (newborn babies)

nurse practitioner

occupational health

oncology (relating to cancer)

paediatric (children)

peri-operative (operating theatres)

plastic surgery

rehabilitation

remote area nursing

research

rural nursing

surgical nursing

wound care

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Registered nurse (RN)

University educated (3-3.5 yrs full-time) Largest group of nurses employed Graduates earn $51,175 plus shift bonuses Pay increases annually Work in the largest variety of clinical settings Many opportunities for promotion Diversity in roles – education, research,

management, clinical, policy, human resources

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Enrolled nurse (EN)

Diploma level qualification 12-18 months at training institutes

Graduates earn $45,916 plus shift bonuses Can work in a variety of areas, but more limited

than RN role Works under the supervision of the RN Expanding role – can specialise (Advanced

Skills EN), give medications Pathway to RN education

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Midwife

Males can be midwives The word midwife means “with woman Midwives give support, care and advice during

pregnancy, labour and after the baby is born Midwives conduct births and provide care for the

newborn baby Can work in a variety of settings including

clinics, hospitals, birthing centres or in the woman’s home.

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Midwife cont..

University educated Direct entry program 3 years Double degree (RN and Mid) 4 years Postgraduate 12-18months (after RN degree)

Graduates earn $51,175 plus shift bonuses Pay increases annually

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

What about shift work?

Patients need care 24/7 so shift work is required You can make requests You can have days off during the week You can sleep in and go to work at 1pm, or start

early and finish work at 3.30pm. You earn extra money You get extra days off

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

What subjects do I need?

Registered nursing and midwifery Year 12 science, maths and English ATAR usually between 65-88

Enrolled nursing A pass in Year 12 English

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Where can I study registered nursing?

Curtin University Campus – Bentley, Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie

Edith Cowan University Campus – Joondalup and Bunbury

Murdoch University Campus – Peel (Mandurah)

 University of Notre Dame Campus – Fremantle and Broome

University of WA and Curtin – graduate masters degree (you must have a degree first)

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Where can I study midwifery?

Undergraduate and postgraduate Curtin University

Campus – Bentley

Edith Cowan University Campus – Joondalup

Postgraduate  University of Notre Dame

Campus – Fremantle

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Alternative pathwaysIf you don’t complete TEE:A Certificate IV in Health Science Foundations at TAFE or Marr Mooditj TAFE also offer a Certificate IV in Preparation for Entry into Enrolled

Nursing

Recognition of prior learningCredits towards course entrance based on previous qualifications

obtained or partially completed, or any work experience.Qualified enrolled nurses can complete the conversion to RN course at

Curtin or Edith Cowan University. For those with other tertiary qualification, they may be eligible to

complete a Graduate Pathway or Entry-to-Practice course to become an RN.

Those without and who are over 20 may need to complete a ATAR Preparation Course, a Bridging Course (available through the universities and TAFES offering the course you want to complete) or a Special Tertiary Admissions Test before embarking on any nursing or midwifery courses within Western Australia.

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

ScholarshipsThe Nursing and Midwifery Office provides up to $2 million in

scholarships every year.

We offer scholarships to help you become a nurse or midwife. Scholarships are available after completing:

6 months of EN program 12 months of RN or midwife program

We also offer scholarship for postgraduate study to progress your career.

Nursing graduates also receive debt reductions for Higher Education Loan Programs when you go to university.

www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au

Where will it take you?