Registered Undergraduate Student of Nursing (RUSON)
A RUSON is a person employed by a health service who is currently enrolled at a university to undertake undergraduate nursing study, who is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) as a student nurse, and who at commencement, has successfully completed not less than twelve months of the Bachelor of Nursing degree.
A RUSON works in acute or subacute care and aged care settings as part of the healthcare team, helping nurses to provide patient care. RUSONs work under the delegation and supervision of registered nursing staff, and may help with a range of activities such as patients’ daily living activities (like personal hygiene and mobility), keeping the ward organised and safe, as well as some basic administration. RUSONs work is governed by a duties list and position description (see ‘downloads’ section below). The scope of practice for RUSONs has expanded during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), with the role of RUSONs now well recognised in public health services in Victoria.
Health services should note the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2020–2024 (the Agreement) governs RUSON model implementation and employment conditions.
Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery (RUSOM)
The Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery (RUSOM) is employed by a health service to assist registered midwives to provide delegated aspects of patient care. Elements of direct and indirect patient care will be delegated in accordance with the professional judgement of the supervising midwife, in accordance with the level of achieved educational preparation and assessed competence of the individual RUSOM and a duties and exclusions list. The scope of practice for RUSOMs has expanded during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), with the role of RUSOMs now well recognised in public health services in Victoria.
The RUSOM is registered as a student with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and currently undertaking either a Bachelor of Midwifery or Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery degree.
Health services should note the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2020–2024 (the Agreement) governs RUSOM model implementation and employment condition.
Reviewed 24 March 2022