Frequently Asked Questions

There is often confusion about what nurses can and cannot do in practice.   Much of what we may think of a nurse being 'allowed' to do may be just 'custom and practice'. In fact, there are very few activities that are specifically restricted [Hide]

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has guidelines for nurses and midwives to assist them to develop their practice in new areas and guidelines for delegation and supervision of nursing and midwifery activities. These guidelines assist nurses and midwives and their employers to make professional decisions about their practice.

http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/en/Codes-and-Guidelines.aspx

For for further in formation please see the What can Nurses in Victoria Do? [Hide]

Yes. From July 1, 2010 the national registration scheme will operate, replacing the existing state and territory nursing (and midwifery) legislation.

For more information about the way in which the national registration scheme will operate, go to http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pracreg/natdev.

To review the new legislation go to: http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au

For more information about he national registration scheme, go to http://www.ahpra.gov.au/ Information about the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is at http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/  [Hide]

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) commenced on 1 July 2010. Nurses and Midwives holding registration with the NBV at 30 June 2010 are now registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

You can check your registration status at: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx  

For more information about the way the national registration scheme operates, go to:
Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au

Victorian Government Health Information website http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pracreg/natdev [Hide]

If you are enrolled in a course previously approved by the Nurses Board of Victoria (NBV) for registration, this course will also lead to registration in the national registration scheme. A list of programs approved by the NMBA for registration is available at http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx;[Hide]

Yes. From July 1, 2010, all nurses and midwives have national registration. This means they can work in all states and territories except Western Australia, where the national legislation has not yet come into operation. You will need to contact the Nurses and Midwives Board of WA for information about registration in WA and mutual recognition between WA and the national scheme http://www.nmbwa.org.au/ [Hide]

From July 1 2010, National arrangements will replace the current state/territory statutory registration boards (including Victoria's) and will initially apply to nurses and midwives and the eight other health professions that are covered by statutory regulation/registration in all jurisdictions.

More information about the scheme is available from the Health Practitioner Regulation in Victoria webpage: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/pracreg/natdev.htm

The Nurses Board of Victoria also provides regular updates on progress towards national registration and how it will impact on nurses and midwives in Victoria. Go to: http://www.nbv.org.au/web/guest/home [Hide]

If you have current national nursing or midwifery registration, you can apply for an advertised position with a Victorian health service. You can check your registration status on the national register at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx If you have not worked for a while you should discuss how to refresh and update your skill with your prospective employer and agree how you will practice. Public health services may be eligible to apply for funding under the Return to Nursing Grant to support your transition back to the workforce. If you do not have current registration, you need to contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia at 1300 419 495 or enquire by email http://www.ahpra.gov.au/en/About-AHPRA/Contact-Us/Make-an-Enquiry.aspx

The NMBA will advise what type of program you need to complete to re-register. A list of programs is located at: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx

The NMBA policy on Recency of Practice and Continuing Professional Development is also available on their website. Victorian public health services may be eligible to apply for funding under the Return to Nursing Grant to support you to regain your registration add link [Hide]

All applications for registration that were in process with the NBV have transferred to the NMBA for ongoing management. Written advice from the NBV about the training or program you must complete to re-register as a nurse or midwife remains current under national registration. A list of approved programs for re-registration purposes is available from:
http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx

You should contact program providers to see if they have a place available. [Hide]

The Victorian Government provides a variety of funding and support to assist individuals to return to nursing practice. To find details of these programs, go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/returning/index.htm  [Hide]

Overseas nurses wishing to work in Australia are required to fulfil a number of criteria prior to arriving in for Australia and information about these requirements can be found at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/career/overseas.htm [Hide]

In the first instance, you should refer the question to your employer's Human resources or Industrial Relations department. Alternatively, Fair Work Australia (http://www.fwa.gov.au) holds a copy of all awards and agreements currently active in Victoria. The Nurses (Victorian Public Health Sector) Multi-Business Agreement 2008-2011 and contains the relevant information on wage rates and allowances in public sector nursing [Hide]

If you work in the public Sector (public health service): The Industrial Relations Multiple Employer Agreement 2007-2011 SCHEDULE C, located from page 57, list the ratios and provides an interpretation of the terms and use. SCHEDULE A of the same award, lists which health services are covered by the ratios.

If you work in public Sector Mental Health: The current Victorian Psychiatric Services Agreement can be sourced from Fair Work Australia (http://www.fwa.gov.au ).

If you work in the private Sector You can access your current work place agreement though Fair Work Australia (http://www.fwa.gov.au). Please note: There are two different searches available. One if your workplace agreement was signed before 27 March 2006 and one if it was signed after 27 March 2006. [Hide]

The requirements for employment vary between employers and employment settings so you should ask your potential employer what their requirements are regarding immunisation. All public health services are encouraged to have a comprehensive immunisation policy in place for all health care workers they employ that is based on an assessment of exposure risk for each individual.

Guidance is provided in the departments Immunisation For Health Care Workers document available at: www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/general/guide_hcw  [Hide]

Yes. Students from all health disciplines must provide evidence of up to date immunisation prior to undertaking clinical placements. [Hide]

Applications for nursing and midwifery positions in Victoria are made directly to the employer. The website Health Jobs (http://www.health.vic.gov.au/jobs/nurse.htm ) has a list of available positions within the Victorian Public Heath Sector. [Hide]

Now more than ever, opportunities exist for Division 2 Registered Nurses in the health system. Health services maintain career web pages displaying vacancies within their service and clinical environments. Nursing vacancies in the public health system are mostly advertised on the Health Jobs site[Hide]

No. A nurse (AKA, a Registered Nurse) is someone who has undertaken a nursing and/or midwifery qualification and is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of VAustralia.

*A Patient Care Assistant/worker may also be referred to as a health care assistant/worker, personal services assistant or a variety of other titles. Whatever the job title, a PCA is not a registered health professional but may (or may not) have undertaken training such as a Certificate II or III in health services assistance or aged care.

For information about PCA training, go to: http://www.shortcourses.vic.gov.au/search.asp  [Hide]

In general, a PCA provides support and assistance to patients in a variety of health, welfare and community settings (ANZSCO definition for 4 423313) such as assistance or care while eating, dressing and walking about.

In practice, the functions or tasks that make a PCAs role will depend on the patients/clients being cared for and their needs, the setting and the other members of the team and their roles.

Whatever the PCA job description includes, the PCA and their employers must be sure they have the appropriate skills and knowledge to do the task, including knowing what to report and who to report to, and they are supported to safely perform their role in the team. [Hide]

Yes, as long as you dont hold yourself out to be a nurse (that is: imply or say you are being employed as a registered nurse) while you are working as personal care assistant/worker (or other such job title). The conditions you are employed under should be clear and you should be aware that if there is an adverse clinical outcome, your nursing knowledge may be taken into account. [Hide]

NURSE-ON-CALL is a telephone health line, providing Victorians with immediate, expert health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For information about NURSE-ON-CALL, including providing feedback or about any job opportunities go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall  [Hide]

Yes, in Victoria (as in all states and territories), nurses, medical practitioners, teachers and police have mandatory reporting obligations under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

In Victoria, nurses must report such cases to Child Protection or the new Child FIRST intake service.

For more information or guidance:

http://www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/family-services/how-to-make-a-referral-or-report   http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.html [Hide]

Victoria has a comprehensive program of work to make our public health services safer for all staff, including nurses. This work includes a $4 Million fund to help health services meet their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 to provide safe workplaces.

Further information about the Victorian taskforce on violence in nursing and the implementation of its recommendations can be found at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/promoting/noviolence [Hide]

All nurses (including  Enrolled Nurse Division 2 nurse and midwives must be registered with the Nurse and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to call themselves a nurse and work as a nurse in Victoria.

Registered Nurses wanting to check the status of their registration can do so via the public register maintained by the NMBA. Memebers of the public and employers can also check this register. Re-registration is an annual requirement for all nurses.

This should occur prior to December 31st. More information regarding registration, the Act and the public register can be found at the Nurse Board of Victoria http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au [Hide]

A member of Nurse Policy may be able to assist you to find any relevant records that may be held in the Department. Please contact Andrew Oates, Project Officer, Nurse Policy http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/contactus.htm  [Hide]

The Australian Institute of Health (www.aihw.org.au) has detailed data on nursing demographics available from the publications section of their website. As well there is a summary of the Victorian nursing and midwifery workforce available at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/workforce/survey [Hide]

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has information on accredited courses and course providers at http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx

Additional information and University websites can be accessed through http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/career/becoming.htm

VTAC course search website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au/courses/searchcourse.html [Hide]

For information about your nursing course refer to http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/career/becoming

Information about Year 10 or 11 subjects can be found on the VTAC http://www.vtac.edu.au/publications or you can look at the course prerequisites for the course you are interested in by going to the universities websites. [Hide]

There is no requirement to be registered/licensed to work as a personal care assistant/worker (or other such job title). If you are working as a personal care assistant/worker (or other such job title), you should ensure that your position description reflects the actual work that you are undertaking and is clear that you are not working as a registered nurse.

The conditions you are employed under should be clear and you should be aware that if there is an adverse clinical outcome, your nursing knowledge may be taken into account. [Hide]

Prior to commencement of national registration on 1 July 2010, Enrolled Nurses (Division 2) were known in Victoria as Division 2 Registered Nurses. Enrolled nurses are valued members of the healthcare team, contributing to the delivery of quality healthcare across a variety of services and clinical environments.

The Enrolled Nurse provides nursing care along side Registered Nurses who coordinate and supervise nursing activities. At all times the Enrolled Nurse retains responsibility for his or her own actions whilst remaining accountable to a Registered Nurse for delegated activity [Hide]

Enrolled Nurses (Division 2) work across a variety of practice areas including acute hospitals, sub-acute and rehabilitation services, residential aged care and community settings such as community health clinics, community mental health and general practice clinics.

Emergency departments, peri-operative, mental health, palliative care, mother and baby care are just a few of the practice areas where Division 2 nurses work[Hide]

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approves all courses leading to national registration as a nurse or midwife. The course accreditation standards approved by the NMBA require that courses for enrolled nurse registration are from the national Health Training Package.

The NMBA has determined that an entry requirement of a Diploma qualification will apply from 1 July 2014. This standard will only apply to new graduates applying from that date.

Until then, all programs with approval from the Nurses Board of Victoria (NBV) for registration are approved under the national scheme.

A list of accredited programs is available from the NMBA website at
http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx

A currently approved Certificate IV qualification offered at a Victorian TAFE or registered training organization is at least 1018 hours in duration and is usually completed over one year (full time equivalent). It incorporates the approved training in medicines administration. Some training providers offer a Diploma in Nursing from the Health Training Package, which also leads to registration. This course is about 1400 hours (depending on elective selections) and is usually completed over 18 months (full time equivalent).

Enrolled Nurses (Division 2) can also upgrade their skills and qualifications by completing single units or clusters of units from the Diploma and the Advanced Diploma qualifications in different areas of practice such as acute care, palliative care and mental health [Hide]

Entrance requirements vary between providers and prospective students may be required to satisfy the pre-course requirements including: VCE (year 12) and a pass in Year 10 mathematics VETASSES Literacy and numeracy testing (for mature aged students) Criminal history check (prior to commencing clinical placement). [Hide]

You will need to check with your training provider or the list of courses provided by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Enrolled nursing qualifications are generally delivered full-time but some training providers do offer part-time courses. A list of approved qualifications and providers in available from the NMBA at http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx [Hide]

In Victoria qualifications leading to Enrolled Nurses (Division 2) registration may be offered as a traineeship (Bachelor of Nursing qualifications are not offered in a traineeship model).

More information on Division 2 traineeships is availablehere. [Hide]

The NMBA has approved standards for course accreditation, which are available from http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx.

The standards stipulate that courses leading to registration in division 1 of the national register as a registered nurse must be delivered by a self-accrediting university. The Board has decided that approval of all currently accredited nursing programs, including those bachelor degree programs for registered nurses conducted by Avondale College and Holmesglen Institute will continue under the national scheme provided they continue to meets the benchmark requirements.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) is the accrediting authority for courses leading to national nursing and midwifery registration. More information is available from the June 2010 CommuniquÉ at:
http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/News/Communiques-from-Board-meetings.aspx [Hide]

To find a nurse or midwife to discuss their work and choice of a health career, you could contact your local hospital, and ask to speak to Director of Nursing’s office. To find out where your nearest public hospital is, go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/maps/index.htm
You could also ask your local:
• council (especially in rural areas). They are involved in promoting health careers in their regions,
• university or TAFE provider. They may have opportunities to meet with nurses or current nursing students.

As well as the Nursing in Victoria website, there is a wealth of information about nursing and midwifery careers supplied on these websites:
• http://www.careersthatmatter.com.au/
• http://www.myfuture.edu.au/
• http://www.jobguide.deewr.gov.au/
[Hide]

For information about Primary School Nursing, go to: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/health/schoolnursing/primschool/default.htm

For information about Secondary School Nursing, go to: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/health/schoolnursing/secschool [Hide]

In Victoria, Maternal & Child Health Nurses are registered nurses who generally have postgraduate Midwifery qualifications, who then go on to do additional qualifications in Maternal & Child Health.

Information on MCH nursing can be found at: http://www.mav.asn.au/CA257168002B8682/pages/home?OpenDocument [Hide]

It is no longer possible to become a mothercraft nurse in Victoria. Mothercraft nurse training has ceased in Victoria in the 1990s and the register for mothercraft nurses closed in 1993.

Family and child health nursing is a specialised field of nursing that focuses on the theory and practice of caring for babies and their families. To practice in this field you must study nursing or midwifery first. There are two levels of nurse in Australia (Registered Nurse (RN) Division 1 and Division 2) and there are opportunities to work within family and child health settings as well as further studies in the area for both levels of nurse. For information about becoming a nurse, please refer to http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/career  [Hide]

The Refugee Health Nurse Program (RHNP) provides a coordinated approach by recruiting community health nurses with expertise in working with culturally and linguistically diverse and marginalised communities.

The nurses are based in community health services with high refugee populations. For more information go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/communityhealth/refugee_health/index.htm  or contact the Primary Health Programs area of DHS on Tel (61 3) 9096 8762 [Hide]

For information about this and other questions about Nurse Practitioners, go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/furthering/practitioner/nurse-practitioner-frequently-asked-questions  [Hide]

The Victorian Government offers some support to nurses to undertake further nursing qualifications. From 2010, applications for scholarships are generally made directly to your employer.

For information about this scholarship program, go to: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing/furthering/postgrad   [Hide]

From 1 July 2010 there is no endorsement category for Nurse Immunisers under the national health practitioner registration scheme.

In Victoria, the possession and administration of vaccines by registered nurses is regulated by the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and Regulations 2006.

Any Registered Nurse, Registered Midwives or Enrolled Nurse (Division 2) nurse (who does not have a notation) can administer a drug in accordance with an order for that client from a medical officer or Nurse Practitioner. This includes vaccines.

However if Registered Nurses are to work as Nurse Immunisers such as in Municipal council operated immunisation clinics where Drs are not present they can operate under a Secretary's order. Interim Approvals have been put in place in Victoria until 31 December 2010. For this authorisation refer to http://www.health.vic.gov.au/dpu/approve.htm [Hide]