What Do Nurses Do & How To Become A Nurse In 2023

Table of Contents

The following article is for ANYONE who is considering becoming a nurse. This is a very comprehensive about what nurses do in Australia and how to become a nurse, so we hope you enjoy the read and make sure to share it!

We cover what a career looks like, how to become a nurse in Australia, ethics and principles, information on salaries, useful links to other resources that you need to read, information on death and dying (a reality of nursing) and much more!

What a career as a nurse can look like?

Nurses perform one of the most important roles in society and healthcare. Everyone will at some point in their lives be cared for by a nurse. It might be a paediatric nurse, mental health nurse, community / primary health nurse, aged care / geriatric nurse, palliative care nurse, emergency or intensive care nurse or any number of other kinds of nurses.

There are so many fields to work in that you can literally never get bored.

Work in the Navy/Airforce or Army, working in the most rural and remote locations across Australia and abroad. How about a sky office – then Retrieval Rescue Nurse working in helicopters and planes might be for you. What about caring for cancer / oncology patients or working with mentally unwell or in prisons and corrections, spending time nursing sick children, or becoming a researcher and academic!

You get the point right? There is endless variety! Check out other areas below using the dropdown

What do nurses do though?

In a field, as varied as nursing as you have just learnt above – there is actually no typical answer. Nurses can be involved in making literal life-saving treatment decisions in critical care settings or they could be providing vaccinations in schools. Both are important in different ways but the roles are remarkably different. The role and skill variety is huge.

However, a key characteristic of all nursing roles is the ability to advocate for patients’ best interests. Using evidence-based critical thinking, nurses use their judgment to integrate objective data with the subjective experience of a patient’s biological, physical and behavioural needs.

Some nurses become Nurse Practitioners who are extremely qualified and experienced clinicians who provide the most advanced level of nursing care – they can prescribe medication, diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries across their speciality. Some nurses become Remote Area Nurses (RANs) or Rural Isolated Practice Registered Nurses (RIPRN) and they work in the most isolated locations across Australia and beyond its borders providing advanced levels of healthcare. It goes on and on. Once again check out the articles here to learn more about the intricacies of different roles and what they do.

We asked nurses what they LOVE and HATE about nursing. It may surprise you

The most common misconceptions about nursing you NEED to know

So how do I become a nurse?

A Diploma of Nursing (TAFE) to become an Enrolled Nurse (EN)
A Bachelor of Nursing (University) to become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Already have a degree (any degree)? You can become an RN in 2 years through a “Graduate Entry” degree. Students are awarded the equivalent of one year of advanced standing (credit) and complete the course in two years. Google search “graduate entry to nursing degree”
Starting off as an Assistant in Nursing or Personal Care Attendant is also a good option for those super unsure

Want to learn the difference between the studies and roles of an EN or RN? Read this article

Here is a list of AHPRA-approved Bachelors of Nursing

Here is a list of AHPRA-approved Diplomas of Nursing

Once you are a confirmed nursing student you MUST under the law register yourself with AHPRA. Fact sheet: Student registration

How much do nurses earn? $$

The long story short, is that ‘it depends. It depends on which state, public vs private, what kind of nursing, your level of experience, your specific job role, if you’re an EN or RN and much more.

For most management roles, rural remote, advanced clinical nursing roles – you’re looking at over $100,000 minimum. But you can also make that as a less senior nurse with overtime and penalty rates. Just make sure to look after yourself and self-care

According to the Seek and Talent websites:

how to become a nurse — https://au.talent.com/

what do nurses do — https://www.seek.com.au/

Registration Standards

Once you have confirmed you want to be a nurse you now need to be prepared for the following:

Comply with Criminal History checks and requirements
Prove and meet the minimum English language skills
Engage yearly in Continuing professional development
Demonstrate Recency of practice
Obtain Professional indemnity insurance

Code of conduct and ethical principles. Is nursing really for me?

Nurses are the most respected profession and live by at least four universal principles. And you will have these drilled into you during your studies. You need to ensure you can live up to these before being a nurse.

Respect for Autonomy

Autonomy means that the patients are able to make independent decisions. Nurses ensure patients have all of the needed information that is required to make a decision about their medical care and are educated. Nurses dont influence the patient’s choice.

Non-maleficence

This means that nurses must do no harm intentionally. Nurses must provide a standard of care which avoids risk or minimises it, as it relates to medical competence. An example of nurses demonstrating this principle includes avoiding negligent care of a patient.

Beneficence

Beneficence is defined as kindness and charity, which requires action on the part of the nurse to benefit others. An example of a nurse demonstrating this ethical principle is by holding a dying patient’s hand.

Justice

Justice means being impartial and fair. Nurses making impartial medical decisions demonstrate this, whether it relates to limited resources or new treatments regardless of economic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.