Undergraduates
The Educational Pathway to EN registration
Nursing in Western Australia has undergone a number of significant changes in the past decade, particularly in areas such as the enhancement of education. This enhancement has maximised the education pathway recommendations contained in the National Review of Nursing Education 2002.
In brief, these recommendations include the promotion of career transitions, opportunities that maximise the recognition of prior learning and the introduction of employment opportunities for students of nursing at their level of competency. Please note, however, that these employment opportunities are an adjunct to an undergraduate program, not a requirement of nursing education.
The Educational Pathway to EN registration (the pathway) is for undergraduate nursing students who wish to gain registration as an enrolled nurse whilst continuing their undergraduate education.
The pathway has been developed based on material from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) and the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia’s (NMBWA) competency standards for registration. The pathway has been as a result of collaboration between the relevant universities that offer undergraduate nursing courses in Western Australia - Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and Notre Dame University – and the Department of Health through the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer. Each University has a pre-determined point at which students may seek registration as an enrolled nurse.
The pathway allows students who successfully complete
Module 1 – specifically developed to assist in gaining the background knowledge for enrolled nurse practice in Western Australia,
and subsequently
Module 2 - offered by each University, which incorporates the necessary knowledge and clinical practice required for the undergraduate nursing student to meet the ANMC National Competency Standards for an enrolled nurse,
to register as an enrolled nurse by submitting an educational transcript and a Statement of Eligibility to apply for registration with the NMBWA.
Once registered as an enrolled nurse a student may seek employment in the healthcare industry in a wide range of clinical settings. By choosing this path, students will gain both clinical experience and paid employment while continuing their undergraduate studies.
How to undertake the pathway:
1. Undergraduate nursing students seek advice from their respective university regarding eligibility to enter the pathway
2. Course coordinator advises student of the learning requirements
3. Student completes module 1 & 2
Please note: Should a student drop out of the undergraduate course and wish to register as an enrolled nurse, the student should enrol in the 7106 Diploma of Enrolled Nursing program at TAFE and complete the necessary requirements of the College of TAFE for registration as an enrolled nurse.