Diploma of Nursing

This course provides the foundational skills and knowledge to work as a nurse in the dynamic healthcare industry.

You’ll learn to provide acute, preventative, curative and rehabilitative care under the direction of a registered nurse.

You will gain hands-on learning experience in our ward simulation labs as well as clinical experience through 400 hours of practical placements.

You will become knowledgeable in topics including:

medication administration anatomy and physiology infection control intravenous injections general nursing.

This course equips you with the skills, competencies and knowledge to apply for registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority (external link) (AHPRA).

ENGLISH-LANGUAGE SKILLS DECLARATION You must be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard (see Admissions & pathways below). Please download and save a copy to your own computer to complete:

Diploma of Nursing NMBA English-language skills student declaration (PDF, 82 KB).

To be awarded HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing, a student must successfully complete a total of twenty-five (25) units of competency, consisting of:

• twenty (20) core units, and;
• five (5) elective units, of which:
• at least three (3) units from the electives listed within the HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing qualification;
• up to two (2) units from any endorsed training package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

CORE UNITS

• CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
• CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
• CHCPRP003 - Reflect on and improve own professional practice
• HLTAAP002 - Confirm physical health status
• HLTAAP003 - Analyse and respond to client health information
• HLTENN001 - Practise nursing within the Australian health care system
• HLTENN002 - Apply communication skills in nursing practice
• HLTENN003 - Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care
• HLTENN004 - Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care plans
• HLTENN005 - Contribute to nursing care of a person with complex needs
• HLTENN006 - Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment
• HLTENN007 - Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy
• HLTENN008 - Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
• HLTENN009 - Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions
• HLTENN011 - Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health problems
• HLTENN012 - Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health problems
• HLTENN013 - Implement and monitor care of the older person
• HLTENN015 - Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting
• HLTINF001 - Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• HLTWHS002 - Follow safe work practices for direct client care

ELECTIVE UNITS

• CHCPOL003 - Research and apply evidence to practice
• HLTENN010 - Apply a palliative approach in nursing practice
• HLTENN025 - Implement and monitor care for a person with diabetes
• HLTWHS006 - Manage personal stressors in the work environment

Imported

• BSBMED301 - Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers

Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age or over by the time of commencement date of the program.
• All applicants must complete a Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN). VU Polytechnic use the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) tool for this assessment and applicants must achieve level four (4) in both literacy and numeracy. Applicants who complete the ACSF assessment tool must achieve a minimum exit level three (3) for both Literacy and Numeracy.
• All applicants will be required to undertake an interview and complete a language and calculations test.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. Proof of this English language competency must be provided and can be achieved via one (1) of the following pathways:

1. Primary Language Pathway

The applicant's primary language is English, and they have undertaken and satisfactorily completed at least six (6) years of primary and secondary education, including at least two (2) years between Years 7 and 12. Countries include Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada, South Africa and the United States of America.

Applicants will be required to complete a declaration.

2. English Language Test Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the approved English language tests as specified in the NMBA’s English language skills registration standard prior to acceptance of offer.

IELTS the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking.

More information can be found by visiting: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx

Placement requirements: In addition to the above requirements, all students must provide the following documentation prior to placement.

• A current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• A satisfactory Police Record check
• A Health Status check (immunisations status) are required for clinical placement purposes.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Pathways to further study

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

This qualification reflects the role of an enrolled nurse working under supervision of a registered nurse. This qualification covers the application of skills and knowledge required to provide nursing care for people across the health sector. A lifespan approach should underpin this qualification with relevant competencies that relate to the different stages of life identified within the units.

A graduate from a Diploma of Nursing program approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is able to apply for registration with the NMBA as an enrolled nurse. Further information on registration is available at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au (external link).