What does a registered nurse do?
Registered nurses provide holistic care to patients, giving attention to their physical, mental and emotional needs. They work in a broad range of settings, including hospitals, community health centres, private homes, schools and prisons. Hospitals are acute care settings where registered nurses provide 24-hour care for patients who are ill or have undergone surgery. In contrast, registered nurses working in non-acute care settings in the community focus on education, health surveillance, rehabilitation or managing chronic illness.
Registered nurse skills and qualifications
Nursing is a people-centred profession. An effective registered nurse must have a caring and respectful nature so that they can build an empathic and therapeutic relationship with the patient. They must also possess strong communication skills in order to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best health outcome for the patient. To be successful, a registered nurse must also have various other prerequisite skills and qualification, which include:
- written communication skills to be able to provide clear and concise documentation
- ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities at the same time
- strong knowledge of the code of ethics under which they practise
- ability to remain calm under pressure and respond to emergency situations
- critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify issues and plan appropriate care
- good organisational and time management skills
Registered nurse experience requirements
The amount of experience a registered nurse requires varies according to the position. Employers often hire recent graduates who have no practical experience for entry-level nursing roles. These nurses receive training on the job under the supervision of more senior nurses. Registered nurses wishing to apply for complex care or leadership roles typically need to have at least three to five years of experience in a similar role.
Registered nurse education and training requirements
To be eligible to work as a registered nurse in Australia, aspiring nurses must first complete a three-year Bachelor of Nursing. After completing this degree, they need to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registered nurses who want to advance their career often undertake further postgraduate courses. For example, a registered nurse who wants to specialise as an intensive care nurse might complete a graduate certificate or master’s degree in intensive care nursing.
Registered nurse salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a registered nurse in Australia is $80,120 per year. This salary figure may vary depending on various factors, such as the registered nurse’s level of experience, training and education, employer and location.
Job description samples for similar positions
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Registered nurse job description FAQs
What is the difference between a registered nurse and an enrolled nurse?
The main differences between an enrolled nurse and registered nurse are their levels of education and training and their scope of practice. Enrolled nurses complete a twelve-month to two-year Diploma of Nursing, whereas registered nurses are required to hold a Bachelor of Nursing, which takes three years to complete. Enrolled nurses work in conjunction with registered nurses and cannot act alone. Registered nurses perform certain duties that are outside the scope of practice of enrolled nurses. These include nursing care planning and administering medication.
What are the different types of registered nurse?
Registered nurses specialise in a broad range of areas. The most common specialties are general nursing, mental health, community health, paediatrics and aged care. Registered nurses in general nursing usually work in hospitals with patients who require acute care. Community health includes working in child health or in schools, medical practices and in-home care. The focus is more on preventative health and wellness. Registered nurses who want to specialise in one of these areas typically require further training and qualifications.
Who does a registered nurse report to?
In most healthcare settings, there is a clear hierarchy of authority. Registered nurses report to their direct supervisor in charge of their unit, who is typically called a nurse manager.
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