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TAFE

TAFE

TAFE

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Online course

Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115)

  • Qualification

    Diploma

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Units

    25

  • Start Date

    Feb, Jul

Overview of the course

Overview of the course

Applications for the Diploma of Nursing are currently closed.

Through the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115), you will be taught the essential skills and knowledge necessary to work in a range of healthcare settings under the supervision of a registered nurse. This hands-on, practical qualification will give you the experience of working in a healthcare environment while you study areas that include nursing communication, medication delivery, infection prevention and aged care.

You will learn how to implement basic nursing care, assess client health and analyse health-related information through a combination of online units, on-campus simulations of hospital environments and 400 hours of mandatory supervised clinical placements.

Swinburne’s Diploma of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), which is responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives.

This course is currently not available to international students. Interstate applicants are eligible for this course, but will not be eligible for Skills First Funding and must be able to travel to Victoria for practical course elements at their own financial cost. Applicants who currently hold a higher qualification will not be eligible for Skills First Funding.

Important notice: This course is currently in transition. The course code, title, units and content are all subject to change. More information will be available soon, but in the meantime please don’t hesitate to contact our Course Consultants on 1300 069 765 for help with any queries.

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What are the entry criteria?

Entry requirements

Entry into this course is based on an applicant’s previous study, demonstrated knowledge and skills, and/or work history. It is recommended that all applicants attend a course information session.

Academic requirements

You are required to complete VCE (within the past seven years), with a minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL. You must also have a 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 by an online literacy and numeracy test issued by Swinburne Online.

English language requirements

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

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

  • You completed your schooling in Australia or at a school taught and assessed in English.
  • You have achieved a specified minimum score in an approved English language test, such as IELTS, OET, PTE or TOEFL iBT. (For full English language requirements, please see the Diploma of Nursing Entry Criteria page.)

Additional requirements

Please review the following additional requirements before submitting your application:

  • Applicants must be residing in Victoria, Australia, for the duration of the course.
  • You must maintain a current Police Check and Working with Children Check for the duration of the course.
  • The first unit of this course, HLTAID003 Provide First Aid, must be completed prior to your first placement. This requirement can be filled by providing evidence of your completion in an Accredited First Aid course. You can complete this through different providers, including St. John Ambulance Australia and Australian Red Cross.
  • This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not able to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be able to attend the clinical placement component of this course. For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements, please visit the health.vic website. 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.
  • Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.

Studying at Swinburne Online has been an excellent experience for me. The team is very supportive, the online platform is user-friendly and the studying resources are extensive.

Monica, Swinburne Online graduate

Course Units

The Diploma of Nursing consists of 20 core units and 5 preferred elective units.

Core

Confirm physical health status (HLTAAP002)
Practise 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 and 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 care of the older person (HLTENN013)
Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting (HLTENN015)
Follow safe work practices for direct client care (HLTWHS002)
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures (HLTINF001)
Analyse and respond to client health information (HLTAAP003)
Reflect on and improve own professional practice (CHCPRP003)
Work with diverse people (CHCDIV001)
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety (CHCDIV002)

Electives

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)

Career opportunities

Career opportunities

  • Acute Care Nurse

    Assist a registered nurse in the care of patients suffering from a severe injury or episode of illness.

  • Mental Health Nurse

    Provide medical and some psychological support to patients who have mental health issues or who are in distress.

  • Rehabilitation Nurse

    Assist individuals with a disability and/or chronic illness to attain and maintain maximum function.

  • Aged Care Nurse

    Assist in the delivery of primary health care to aged patients in a variety of settings including hospitals and home care.

  • Palliative Care Nurse

    Provide care and support to people at any age who are experiencing severe or complex symptoms due to a life-limiting or terminal condition.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Basics of nursing care

    Learn the basics of practising nursing within the Australian healthcare system, including how to confirm a patient's physical health status and analyse client health information.

  • Administration and monitoring of medication

    Learn how to administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy and apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment.

  • Nursing communication

    Learn how to apply communication skills and respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs in nursing practice.

  • Legal and ethical parameters in nursing

    Learn how to apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice and maintain work health and safety.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

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  • Why is the Diploma of Nursing changing?

    In late 2020, the federal Government announced changes to the current national health training package. As a result, Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers across Australia are now required to update their courses to implement these changes, including Swinburne Online.

    This is in effort to enhance VET qualifications and ensure students are developing the skills that employers require in the future.

  • What’s changing in the Diploma of Nursing?

    The learning outcomes will remain the same, with students gaining a nationally recognised qualification. The changes follow industry review and aim to better align student outcomes:

    • To current and evolving best-practice
    • To support learners in an increasingly digital environment.

    The regulatory bodies review and update these courses every five years to ensure students can:

    • Keep pace with rapidly changing industry needs
    • Respond to future skills
    • Reflect industry practice.

  • When will Swinburne Online be releasing the new Diploma of Nursing?

    ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) are reviewing submissions to teach the new course packaging. This is likely to be in place in early 2022.

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