Do you like taking care of people?
Does healing people appeal to you?
If your answer to the above questions is “Yes,” then you should read this blog.
There is no doubt that nursing is a noble profession. Just imagine what we would have done without nurses. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are highly dependent on the service of nurses. Doctors depend on nurses to carry out proper treatment of their patients.
A nurse in Australia is very much in demand. This is primarily because of Australia’s ageing population, increasing rate of chronic diseases and prevalent mental health problems. The pandemic has played its part too in scaling the demand for nurses. Not only are there opportunities galore to launch a successful nursing career in Australia, but you can also have a better quality of life, considering that Australia is one of the happiest countries to live in and has a high standard of living.
The question is what are your top five career options as a nurse in Australia?
Read on to find the answer to this question!
1. Clinical Nurse SpecialistA clinical nurse specialist’s job role includes observing the health conditions of patients, analyzing, and diagnosing complex health problems, interpreting clinical data, working on treatment plans for severely injured patients and so on. This is a senior nursing position. A clinical nurse specialist’s daily duties include:
- Providing patient care
- Collaborating with other nurses
- Diagnosing health issues and developing treatment plans
- Working as nurse educators
The average salary of a clinical nurse specialist in Australia is AU$ 102,401 per year (Source:au.talent.com)
2. Mental Health NurseMental health problems are rising all over the world and Australia is no exception. According to Health Direct, one in five Australians, which is about 4 million people, suffer from mental illness in a year. As a result, the demand for mental health nurses in Australia is on the rise. So, if you are thinking about pursuing a mental health nursing career in Australia, you may be up for a rewarding career. Daily duties of mental health nurses include providing care to patients suffering from:
- Bi-polar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Drug abuse
- Alcohol addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
The average salary of a mental health nurse in Australia is AU$ 97,235 per year (Source:au.talent.com)
3. Emergency Room (ER) NurseAs an ER nurse, you will be treating patients who require instant medical attention, like those suffering severe injury from an accident, sudden onset of acute symptoms and so on. It will be up to you to save the lives of such patients. Daily duties will include:
- Administering medication
- Inserting IVs
- Taking blood samples
- Cleaning and bandaging wounds
- Identifying causes and referring to appropriate medical services
- Providing support to patients’ families regarding treatment and recovery
The average salary of an ER nurse in Australia is AU$ 91,001 per year (Source:au.talent.com)
4. Perioperative NurseA perioperative nurse provides intensive care to reduce anxiety among patients before, after or during a surgical procedure. This is a unique nursing profession and is very much in demand. Perioperative nurses may be seen in various job roles like:
- Anaesthetic nurse
- Circulating nurse
- Instrument nurse
- Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurse
- Pre-admission and day surgery nurses
The average salary of a perioperative nurse in Australia is AU$ 77,800 per year Source:au.talent.com)
4. Neonatal NurseThis is a specialized role. As a neonatal nurse, you will be providing supportive healthcare to newly born infants up to their first four weeks. Neonatal nursing involves caring for infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth defects, cardiac malformations, infection and so on. Daily duties of a neonatal nurse include:
- Checking and preparing medications
- Analysing baby’s fluid levels
- Observing and documenting baby’s activities
- Taking appropriate rescue measures in an emergency
- Supporting and educating parents
The average salary of a neonatal nurse in Australia is AU$ $88,879 per year (Source:au.talent.com)
5. Working as an Enrolled Nurse in AustraliaFor many of the professions mentioned above, you will need to be a registered nurse in Australia. However, by completing the Diploma of Nursing course from the Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA), you can work as an enrolled nurse under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse.
IHNA’s HLT54121 – Diploma of Nursing is a 18-month course that delivers the essential nursing skills and knowledge required to be eligible as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
You will learn and practice how to administer medicines & intravenous therapy, wound management, basic to advanced nursing including care of the clients with acute, chronic & mental health conditions, diabetes, and care of older clients, effective communication, research, leadership, and telehealth.
With the enrolled nurse course, you can start off as an entry-level enrolled nurse in Australia and later you can prepare for nursing registration in Australia by choosing to upskill yourself with a suitable course.
Cheers!
FAQ’s What does a clinical nurse specialist do?A clinical nurse specialist’s job role includes observing the health conditions of patients, analyzing, and diagnosing complex health problems, interpreting clinical data, working on treatment plans for severely injured patients and so on.
What does a perioperative nurse do?A perioperative nurse provides intensive care to reduce anxiety among patients before, after or during a surgical procedure. This is a unique nursing profession and is very much in demand.
What does a neonatal nurse do?This is a specialized role. As a neonatal nurse, you will be providing supportive healthcare to newly born infants up to their first four weeks. Neonatal nursing involves caring for infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth defects, cardiac malformations, infection and so on.
