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National code: HLT54115 Diploma (TAFE) Wantirna Send me a link to this course

This course has been discontinued - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.

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The Diploma of Nursing is a nationally accredited course that teaches the essential skills and knowledge required to work as an enrolled nurse. Work under the supervision of a registered nurse in a variety of health care settings. Learning in purpose-built labs, students will be taught how to implement basic nursing care, assess clients' health and analyse health-related information.

The course is completed over 18 months and involves 440 hours of mandatory supervised clinical placements in 4 key healthcare environments, i.e. aged care, mental health, sub-acute and acute care. Major study areas within the course include nursing communication, legal and ethical parameters, medication delivery, wound management, infection prevention and mental, acute, chronic and aged care. The Diploma also provides the opportunity to apply for an undergraduate nursing course.

Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.

This Free TAFE course is in high demand. Apply early for a better chance of securing your place in it. Otherwise, you may have to wait for the next intake.

Duration

18 months full-time

Study mode

Full-time

VTAC course code

3401010534 (fee type determined by provider)

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

I studied nursing because I wanted to make a difference on the frontline. The support provided at Swinburne is exceptional. The clinical placement allowed me to apply my skills in a real-life setting and cement my knowledge. To add to my experience, I am volunteering on a study focused on the skills needed for enrolled nurses in mental health settings.

Rachel

Diploma of Nursing

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

The Diploma of Nursing is characterised by hands-on and practical instruction, so you can develop job-ready skills as well as a high level of professional practice through your studies.

As part of the program at Swinburne, you will learn basic knowledge and skills that are built on in more detail as the course progresses. You will develop the skills and knowledge needed to perform as an enrolled nurse in a contemporary health environment. To further enhance your ability to undertake effective care, simulation is built in throughout the program in a variety of applications, such as simulated patient simulations, virtual reality, part task trainers and through the use of mannequins.

Apart from the basics of nursing care, you will learn how to administer and monitor medication, care for older clients, acute care conditions and people with chronic and mental health conditions. You will also develop effective communication skills and learn how to work as a professional within the legal and ethical parameters in nursing.

Course structure

The course consists of 25 units of study made up of 20 core units and five elective units.

The program is structured in to 3 phases of study, all 6 months duration and each with their own focus.

Phase 1 provides foundational understanding of human anatomy and the development of patient assessment skills to enable recognition of deterioration and appropriate responses.

Phase 2 builds on previously acquired knowledge and prepares the student for delivering nursing care in a more complex setting, which includes the administration of medications.

The final phase of delivery focuses on knowledge of specific care and disease processes and nursing management and medication administration, including IV medication administration and therapies. The objective of this phase is to bring all acquired skills and knowledge together to ensure students can recognise and respond to deterioration appropriately and maintain patient safety in the clinical environment.

Attendance Requirements:
Phase 1 – 4 days per week
Phase 2 – 3 days per week

Phase 3 – 3 days per week

Workplace Experience Requirements:
Swinburne will provide all students with 440 hours of workplace experience over the 18-month program. These experiences will be placed strategically within the program to enhance the student’s learning experience and ability to link theory to practice.
All student placements will be organised and monitored by the Swinburne placement team and clinical placement coordinator/s.
During your course at Swinburne, there is an expectation that all students will complete at least 1 rural placement. The opportunity provides all students with a more diverse workplace experience to enhance skills and knowledge in a variety of areas across healthcare.

Units of study

Core Units

Confirm physical health status (HLTAAP002)

Analyse and respond to client health information (HLTAAP003)
Follow safe working practices for direct client care (HLTWHS002)
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control (HLTINF006)
Practice nursing within the Australian health care system (HLTENN001)
Apply communication skills in nursing practice (HLTENN002)
Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care (HLTENN003)
Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care plans (HLTENN004)
Contribute to nursing care of a person with complex needs (HLTENN005)
Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment (HLTENN006)
Administer and monitor medicines intravenous therapy (HLTENN007)
Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice (HLTENN008)
Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions (HLTENN009)
Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health problems (HLTENN011)
Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health problems (HLTENN012)
Implement and monitor nursing care of the older person (HLTENN013)
Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting (HLTENN015)
Reflect on and improve own professional practice (CHCPRP003)
Work with diverse people (CHCDIV001)

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety (CHCDIV002)

Elective Units

Research and apply evidence to practice (CHCPOL003)
Provide first aid (HLTAID003)
Manage personal stressors in the work environment (HLTWHS006)
Apply a palliative approach in nursing practice (HLTENN010)
Implement and monitor care for a person with diabetes (HLTENN025)

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

Employment may be found in a range of health settings such as acute care, aged care, rehabilitation, palliative care and mental health, either within hospital or community settings.

Aims and objectives

This course aims to provide students with the skill and ability to work in a variety of health care settings providing high quality care to all patients and clients.

Graduate skills

Graduates will have the skills and knowledge required to work as an enrolled nurse alongside a registered nurse in a variety of health care settings.

Professional recognition

Swinburne's Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115) is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). Accreditation with ANMAC means the program of study meets the required education standards for enrolled nurses.

The course also has the approval of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The NMBA is responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives. Approved programs of study are listed on the NMBA website.

On successful completion of this course, you may apply for registration as an enrolled nurse with the NMBA. This registration is managed through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Pathways and scholarships

- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Successful completion of Diploma of Nursing allows you to progress to this course	Maximum amount of credit available
Bachelor of Nursing	8 units

This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Learn more about pathways.

Credit

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

Course fees and requirements

- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Entry requirements

Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study, demonstrated knowledge and skills, and/or work history.

Some additional criteria also apply:

Satisfactory completion of VCE, with a minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL and satisfactory score for Units 1 and 2 in Maths or

ACSF Exit Level 3 (working at Level 4), or above, in both Reading and Numeracy as determined at a supervised BKSB testing session conducted at Swinburne.

* Note: Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, we are currently unable to hold supervised testing sessions. All BKSB testing will be held remotely until we are able to resume on-campus activities.

English language requirements

The Diploma of Nursing has program entry criteria set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. All students entering this program must demonstrate they have achieved the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) specified level of English language skills, prior to commencing the program.

You must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12
Test pathways – below is a list of the approved tests and the minimum scores required:
IELTS (academic Module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components
OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components
PTE (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills
TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and a minimum score of 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking
OET Nursing profession test and a minimum score of B (more than 350 marks) in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) from a single test sitting. Results are to be valid for a maximum of two years from the test date.

* Recognised countries include Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America.

Additional requirements

Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of placement
NDIS Worker Screening Check – This process includes a National Police Check

*If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.

Working with Children Check (Volunteer or Employee) for the duration of the program.

Immunisations

This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you may not be eligible to complete this program.

Immunisation requirements include the following:

COVID19 Vaccination – Full course required after 15 November 2021
Measles / Mumps / Rubella
Diphtheria / Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis B
Influenza (Annual requirement)
Tuberculosis Screening – QuantiFERON Gold test

For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the Vaccination for healthcare workers information.

Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.

How to apply

This course is closed for new enrolments.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: study@swinburne.edu.au

Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059