DIPLOMA OF NURSING INFORMATION SET

1. About the Diploma of Nursing

Enrolled Nurses (EN) are a regulated body of health professionals who contribute to the delivery of healthcare across a variety of Australian healthcare settings and clinical environments, functioning under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The EN qualification is supported through employability perspectives and managed through an education/training and curriculum approach. Educational preparation for the functional role of the EN in the workforce is as an associate nurse to the RN or Midwife. The HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing is a national entry-level qualification for Enrolled Nurses in Australia.

Graduate employment opportunities

The HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing 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 with relevant competencies that relate to the different stages of life identified within the units should underpin this qualification.

The qualification prepares graduates to work in diverse contemporary health care settings. The underpinning knowledge and skills, and the graduate outcomes of this qualification are aligned to the Nursing Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Enrolled nurse standards for practice.

The HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing assists the student to gain the essential skills and knowledge to work as an enrolled nurse in a variety of health care settings. The student learns how to implement basic nursing care, assess client’s health and analyse health-related information, as well as many other vital enrolled nursing skills and knowledge.

The student undertakes a minimum of 400 hours of compulsory clinical placement, as mandated by ANMAC EN Standards: 3.6 – A minimum of 400 hours of successfully completed workplace experience as an enrolled nursing student, not inclusive of simulation activities, incorporated into the program and providing exposure to a variety of health care settings that support achievement of the NMBA Enrolled nurse standards for practice.

During these studies, the student develops effective communication skills and learns how to work within legal and ethical parameters in nursing. They also learn how to administer and monitor medications and care for older clients, acute care clients and people with mental health conditions.

Enrolled Nurses (Division 2) work under the direction of; and in collaboration with Registered Nurses (Division 1), to safely and efficiently support the health and well-being of people across a range of health settings. Enrolled Nurses (Division 2) provide high quality nursing care in a range of health settings such as:

• Acute care;
• Emergency services;
• Operating theatres;
• Day Surgery Centres;
• Chronic care;
• Palliative care;
• Aged care;
• Paediatrics;
• Rehabilitation services;
• Community health;
• Primary health including Aboriginal Medical Centres, General Practices and Specialist Practices;
• Mental health;
• Psychiatric, forensic and correctional health;
• Refugee health;
• Rural and Regional health services;
• Health Promotion; and
• Digital health.

After successful completion of the HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing, students are able to apply for national registration as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2) with the NMBA via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).  Once registration as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2) is successfully achieved, students are then able to apply for a variety of employment opportunities.  Options for employment can include:

• Transition to Practice Programs (often referred to as a ‘new grad year’) in both private and public facilities. These programs can be offered in the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Health sectors. These programs have been designed to provide support for the employment and development of the newly qualified Enrolled Nurse;
• Applying to work directly with facilities in all health sectors as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2); and
• Agency nursing.

Please access the following link to see a video of a Think graduate in her workplace:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYNGIKmCwTA

Course Overview

2. Essential requirements for admission

Student Admissions Requirements – VET Student Loans

Applicants to all vocational courses must meet any course-specific entry requirements specified by the Industry Skills Council, defined in the relevant Training Package and published in the Admission Criteria. Refer to ‘Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students’.

Applicants must provide Proof of Identity. Moreover, under the Student Identifiers Act 2014, applicants to vocational courses must:

• provide their Unique Student Identifier (USI) at the time of application if they already have one, or, for international applicants applying to study in Australia, authorise Think to apply for one on their behalf,
• authorise THINK to access information available via their USI, and
• consent to the use of their USI in their academic records.

In addition, domestic applicants to Diploma qualifications who wish to access the VET Student Loan are assessed to establish if they have the aptitude to complete the qualification. Evidence of completion of the following is considered sufficient to demonstrate the core skills and capacity required to undertake a Diploma:

• a completed Australian secondary education qualification or equivalent, or
• exit Level 3 or above of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both reading and numeracy. The assessment will be conducted using the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test1 , or
• a certificate of qualification at level 4 or above in the Australian Qualifications Framework and the course for the qualification was delivered in English.

Application process

To facilitate the assessment of their application, prospective students must follow Think’s specified application process. Instructions and timelines can be found on Think’s website. During the application process, Think ensures potential applicants are provided with full and comprehensive course and fees information to make an informed decision about choosing to enrol.

The information provided includes, but is not limited to:

• course information, including but not limited to: admission criteria, course and census dates, Course Rules, subjects, units of competency, policies and procedures,
• fee information, including but not limited to: the estimated maximum course price, payment options, FEE-HELP/ VET Student Loan information, withdrawal information.

Student Admissions Requirements – Fee for Service (Domestic)

As stipulated for students wishing to access VSL, ‘Fee for Service’ applicants for all vocational courses must also meet the course-specific entry requirements specified by the Industry Skills Council, defined in the relevant Training Package and published in the Admission Criteria. Refer to ‘Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students’.

Applicants must provide Proof of Identity. Moreover, under the Student Identifiers Act 2014, applicants to vocational courses must:

• provide their Unique Student Identifier (USI) at the time of application if they already have one, or, for international applicants applying to study in Australia, authorise Think to apply for one on their behalf,
• authorise THINK to access information available via their USI, and
• consent to the use of their USI in their academic records.

Domestic ‘Fee for Service’ applicants will be assessed to establish if they have the aptitude to complete the qualification. Evidence of completion of the following is considered sufficient to demonstrate the core skills and capacity required to undertake a Diploma:

• a completed Australian secondary education qualification or equivalent, or
• exit Level 3 or above of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both reading and numeracy. The assessment will be conducted using the Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test1 , or
• a certificate of qualification at level 4 or above in the Australian Qualifications Framework and the course for the qualification was delivered in English.

Student Admissions Requirements – Fee for Service (International)

‘Fee for Service’ (International) applicants for all vocational courses must also meet the course-specific entry requirements specified by the Industry Skills Council, defined in the relevant Training Package and published in the Admission Criteria. Refer to ‘Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students’.

Applicants must provide Proof of Identity. Moreover, under the Student Identifiers Act 2014, applicants to vocational courses must:

• provide their Unique Student Identifier (USI) at the time of application if they already have one, or, for international applicants applying to study in Australia, authorise Think to apply for one on their behalf,
• authorise THINK to access information available via their USI, and
• consent to the use of their USI in their academic records.

Please refer to ‘Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students’ which outlines the specific admission requirements for international students.

Student Admissions Requirements – Fee for Service (International)

‘Fee for Service’ (International) applicants for all vocational courses must also meet the course-specific entry requirements specified by the Industry Skills Council, defined in the relevant Training Package and published in the Admission Criteria. Refer to ‘Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students’.

Applicants must provide Proof of Identity. Moreover, under the Student Identifiers Act 2014, applicants to vocational courses must:

• provide their Unique Student Identifier (USI) at the time of application if they already have one, or, for international applicants applying to study in Australia, authorise Think to apply for one on their behalf,
• authorise THINK to access information available via their USI, and
• consent to the use of their USI in their academic records.

Please refer to ‘Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students’which outlines the specific admission requirements for international students.

Course Specific Entry Requirements for all Students
Students wishing to undertake HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing have industry and course specific entry requirements that they must fulfil in order to enter the course.  These entry requirements include meeting one of the criteria below:

• Year 12 or state/international equivalent; OR
• Have a CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support; OR
• Be of mature age which can be demonstrated by a candidate who is at least of 21 years old.

In addition to the above criteria for the course, there are specific requirements required by Industry.  In accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation, https://www.anmac.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/ANMAC_EN_Standards_web.pdf, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Australia (NMBA) English Language Standards,

http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx, students are required to meet minimum Language, Literacy, Numeracy (LLN) requirements and English Language standards for entry into the HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing.

Students are required to:

• Undertake Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing from an Australian Government approved provider and demonstrate competency at exit level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both reading and numeracy.

AND

• Provide evidence of meeting at least one of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language standards listed below prior to enrolment: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx

NOTE:

Australian students who have successfully completed an Australian Grade 12 certificate with an English subject and students who have undertaken a formal English language skills test (for example, the International Language Testing System) that meets program entry criteria referred to in criterion 6.1a, ANMAC Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards 2017, need only undertake the numeracy component of the LLN test.

Students must meet at least one of the two following English language requirements from the NMBA English Language Standard to enter the course and must also demonstrate this at time of application for registration as an Enrolled Nurse:

12. At least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.

NOTE: The student must include evidence, at the time of applying for NMBA registration as a program graduate, of a minimum of one year fulltime equivalent pre-registration program of study approved by the recognised nursing and/or midwifery regulatory body in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America. The HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing offered by Think is an approved pre-registration program of study.

1. Undertake an English language test to demonstrate that you meet the standard through the English language test pathway. Recognised test programs are:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) (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). Accepted test results are:

• from one test sitting, or
• a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
  • you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
  • no score in any component of the test is below 6.5

OET (Occupational English Test) with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Accepted test results are:

• from one test sitting, or
• a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
  • you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of B in each component across the two sittings, and
  • no score in any component of the test is below C.

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English 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). Accepted test results are:

• from one test sitting, or
• a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
  • a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and
  • no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58

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.

Accepted test results are:

• from one test sitting, or
• a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
  • a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
  • no score in any of the sections is below:
    • 20 for listening
    • 19 for reading
    • 24 for writing, and
    • 20 for speaking

Requirements for participation in Clinical Placements

To be eligible for Clinical Placement, the students are required to:

• declare physical and mental fitness to safely perform the duties associated with direct care work including strength, mobility, hearing, vision and communication requirements
• have a current clear Working with Children Check^[1]
• have a current clear National Police Record Check^[2]
• have an up to date immunisation/vaccination record
• have attained the Unit of Competency, HLTAID003 Provide first aid
• have basic computer skills

 Each state and territory have different legislation and time periods for which the check is valid, and varied procedures for renewal.

^[2]Student must ensure that their Police Certificate is valid for the duration of their clinical placement prior to commencing as determined by the relevant State/Territory.
Applicant information
Applicants are informed of the following key information, before accepting an offer of enrolment:

1. students that would be required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to provide a formal English language skills test when applying for registration, must provide a formal English language test result demonstrating they have achieved the NMBA specified level of English language skills, prior to commencing the program
2. students are required to provide evidence of having sufficient language, literacy and numeracy skills to successfully undertake the program’s academic and workplace experience requirements, prior to commencing the program
3. education providers will, under the National Law, register students with the NMBA and notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency if a student undertaking clinical training has an impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm
4. specific requirements for right of entry to health services for workplace experience
5. the NMBA requirements for registration as an enrolled nurse including, but not limited to, the registration standard on English language skills.

3. How to apply

Via direct application to the institution

http://www.think.edu.au/courses/health/diploma-of-nursing

4. Advanced standing/academic credit/recognition of prior learning (RPL)

You may be entitled to credit for prior learning, whether formal or informal. Formal learning can include previous study in higher education, vocational education, or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience. Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

Applicants admitted based on prior higher education study may be eligible for Advanced Standing in the form of credit and/or recognition of prior learning (RPL) under the Torrens University Australia Credit Policy.

• Students with completed subjects may be eligible for specified credit and/or elective exemptions
• Students who have completed a qualification at AQF level 5 (diploma) or above may be eligible for block credit (where a block credit agreement exists)
• Students with a mix of formal study and informal and/or non-formal learning may be eligible for recognition of prior learning in addition to any credit approved.

Credit will not be applied automatically. Applicants must apply for credit and/or RPL as early as possible prior to each study period, with applications not accepted after week 2.

For further information about credit and recognition of prior learning, please see: https://www.torrens.edu.au/apply-online/course-creditshttp:/www.torrens.edu.au/apply-online/course-credits

5. Where to get further information

http://www.think.edu.au/courses/health/diploma-of-nursing

6. Additional Information

Course Structure

All the units of competency for this qualification, including core and elective units, are listed below (Table 1). All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. Core competency units cannot be substituted.

Total number of units = 25

• 20 core units
• 5 elective units, consisting of:
• at least 3 units from the electives listed in the Training Package
• up to 2 units from any endorsed Training Package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome

The course structure, showing subjects can be viewed or download via the Student Hub, Course Webpage https://studenthub.torrens.edu.au/Hub/health

Units of Competency / Unit Nominal Hours

Course Rules

In accordance with the National Training Package rules, in order to graduate from the course, as student must satisfactorily complete each subject which will consist of more one or more of the units of competency shown above.

Unit of Competency Descriptors

Locations

Training is provided at the following campuses and online via the Learning Management System (Blackboard). Refer to the Think website for full campus details.

Adelaide:

88 Wakefield Street

Adelaide SA 5000

Brisbane:

123 Gotha Street

Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Melbourne:

Level 1, 196 Flinders Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Sydney:

Level 3, 333 Kent Street

Sydney NSW 2000

NOTE: Sydney Simulation Facilities are located at the Health campus at Level 5, 235 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, NSW 2009.

Campus Facilities and Services

All campuses are designed to provide students with professional spaces in which to learn and work. They

have been planned with student study needs in mind with well-equipped accessible learning spaces as well as student breakout areas for group work and spending time with friends.

Facilities and Services include:

• The Customer Service Hub – our friendly and experienced staff can give help and advice about courses, your enrolment and campus life, including all services and activities on ca
• Counsellors are available for students to consult with on a range of personal issues
• Student wireless access throughout the Campus
• Student break-out and relaxed study spaces for group work
• Student lounge areas – most with microwaves, fridge and kitchenette facilities
• The Learning Hub, home to the Learning Support Team, encompasses Learning Skills Advisors, Learning Technology Advisors, and Library & Learning Skills Offi It provides an integrated, holistic support program for students throughout the study lifecycle within a library/collaborative study environment.
• Support and workshops with highly qualified staff in the areas of Academic skills, Library skills, and

Technology skills, both on campus and online.

• Physical and digital resources relevant to studies, such as books, journals, multimedia, databases
• Self-check kiosks for library loans and print and copy facilities

A positive student experience

Think Colleges values the importance of a positive student experience, and therefore has robust processes to resolve student complaints.  The Student Complaints Policy, and associated procedures, can be accessed from the website http://www.think.edu.au/studying-at-think/policies-and-procedures

Paying for your qualification

We offer two payment options for this course:

 Upfront payment

If you want to complete your qualification debt-free you can choose to pay as you go. This means tuition fees will be invoiced each semester and payment is required on or before the due date using EFTPOS, credit card or direct transfer.

VET Student Loans

VET Student Loans is a Government loan program that helps students pay for their tuition fees up to a set amount (known as a loan cap). Students need to meet eligibility requirements in order to access the scheme and the course debt is required to be repaid in full to the Commonwealth.

Think Colleges is an approved VET Student Loans provider and the VET Student Loans scheme is available for this course. As the difference between the loan cap and course price varies by study mode, please speak to your Course & Careers Adviser about what this means for you.

Further information about VET Student Loans, including eligibility, is available at:

VET Student Loans website
VET Student Loans booklet

Austudy and Abstudy

Students enrolled in this course may be eligible for government assistance, such as Austudy or Abstudy.