Diploma of Nursing

Reputation for Excellence: IHNA is a leading provider of healthcare education, known for its strong emphasis on high-quality training and practical, industryrelevant skills. It is recognised for delivering competency-based learning aligned with the latest healthcare trends.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: IHNA’s campuses are equipped with cutting-edge simulation labs and modern training facilities, providing students with hands-on experience in environments that mirror real healthcare settings. These facilities enhance the learning experience by fostering practical skills in a controlled and supportive environment.

Flexible Learning Options: With blended delivery modes, IHNA allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments. The combination of online learning and hands-on practical training helps to ensure students can learn at their own pace.

Comprehensive Student Support: IHNA offers dedicated student support services, including 24/7 access to online resources, personalised guidance, and career support, helping students to navigate their academic journey and transition smoothly into the workforce.

Industry Connections: IHNA’s strong ties with industry leaders provide students with networking opportunities and exposure to real-world healthcare environments, enhancing job readiness upon graduation.

• Government funding available for eligible students
• Simulation exercises that provide hands-on knowledge
• Blended mode of delivery — both online and on-campus
• Qualified and industry experienced educators

In the HLT54121 – Diploma of Nursing, you will engage in a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to excel as an Enrolled Nurse. Throughout the course, you will study key areas that will prepare you to:

Understand and Apply Nursing Laws and Ethics: You’ll learn about the laws, policies, and procedures that guide nursing practice, ensuring you can work within legal and ethical boundaries.

Respect and Uphold Patient Rights: Through your studies, you’ll be trained to deliver care that protects the rights, confidentiality, dignity, and respect of all patients.

Take Accountability in Healthcare: The course will help you develop a strong sense of responsibility, preparing you to accept accountability for your actions in a professional setting. Plan and Deliver Effective Care: You’ll study how to interpret various sources of information to plan appropriate, patient-centred care.

Collaborate with Healthcare Teams: You’ll learn to work effectively with Registered Nurses, patients, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans.

Provide Skilled and Timely Care: The course will equip you with the skills to deliver prompt and proficient care, encouraging patient independence and involvement in decision-making.

Communicate Clearly and Professionally: You’ll study the best practices for communication and documentation, ensuring accurate and effective information sharing.

Utilise Evidence-Based Practices: The curriculum includes training on how to incorporate the latest research into your nursing practice, ensuring high standards of care.

Focus on Safety and Quality Improvement: You’ll learn to practise within established safety guidelines and continuously seek to improve the quality of care you provide.

Commit to Professional Growth: The course encourages ongoing professional development, equipping you with the skills to continue learning and growing in your nursing career.

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

SEMESTER 3

There are no prerequisites for entry into this program. IHNA’s admission requirements for the program are as follows:

IHNA Admission Requirements

1. Successful completion of year 12 or equivalent or pathway through Certificate III or IV level qualification from the HLT or CHC training package*.
2. 18 years of age and above at the time of commencement of the program.
3. Successful completion of the language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) test and demonstration of competence level as exit level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in reading and numeracy1.
4. NMBA specified level of English language skills and2.
5. Basic computer literacy3.

*Mature age individuals (22+) who may not have completed year 12 but have significant work experience in the health sector and who meet the LLN requirements may also be considered for enrolment. Each case will be reviewed individually to ascertain the student’s suitability for program requirements4

1 – In case of international students, in numeracy only

2 – https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx

3 – IHNA has adopted ‘basic computer literacy’ definition that covers the most common usages of a computer, including managing computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases; creating presentations; finding information and communicating using computers; and being aware of social and ethical implications of Internet use, retrieved from http://uis.unesco.org/en/glossary-term/basic-computer-skills on 06 November 2023

4 – Refer to IHNA’s Admission and Support Procedure for Mature Age Students

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital(LLND)

All IHNA students must complete the Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) assessment to ensure that students meet the necessary requirements for successfully undertaking the course. IHNA administers the LLND test to evaluate each student’s suitability.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) requirements

1. Required immunisation.
2. Working with Children Check (WWCC).
3. A valid NDIS Worker Screening Check.
4. Working with Children Check (WWCC).
5. A valid NDIS Worker Screening Check (if applicable).
6. Students must declare a disability or disorder (if any), or if they are on any medication which may require reasonable adjustments.

Note:Where a student breaches the above requirements, they could be excluded from their practical placements which may result in unsuccessful completion of the course. IHNA will not be responsible for any such exclusion.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the institute’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Inherent Requirements constitute the capabilities, knowledge and skills that are compulsory to complete the course for all students.

IHNA has opted two modes of delivery for the program.

• Face to Face: Offered at our campuses in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
• Blended: Online lectures/ tutorials conducted via LMS

The course will be delivered for 20 hours per week, consisting of lectures, tutorials and support sessions.

The delivery of the program includes a combination of;

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Guest lectures by industry experts, multidisciplinary teams, and specialist nurses
• Simulation based training (SBT)
• Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)
• Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

The simulation-based training and Objective Structured Clinical Assessment conducted face to face in IHNA nursing laboratory. Mandatory attendance is required for both SBT and OSCA. The student will get a timetable during orientation which includes all the details of the SBT and OSCA schedule.

Students are expected to complete additional study in their own time as a part of self-directed interactive learning which equates to 10 hours of study per week.

Training and Assessment

IHNA has engaged in extensive consultation with subject matter experts and external consultants regarding the selection of assessment instruments. A range of assessment methods employed by IHNA ensures that assessments are fair, flexible, valid and reliable while ensuring that IHNA meets the requirements of the relevant Training Package and the rules of evidence. IHNA seeks to incorporate authentic assessments in all units of competency during the study.

Formative Assessments

Formative assessments will be conducted at set points during a unit of competency. Timings of the formative assessments will be communicated to students via LMS and in class by the educator. In the theoretical component the formative assessment may consist of the following:

• Group discussion
• MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
• Various types of quizzes
• Role plays
• Nursing Skill assessments

Summative Assessment

Students will engage in a variety of summative assessments throughout the course, encompassing theory, Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA), and Professional Experience Placement (PEP). These assessments follow a mandatory and sequential structure, requiring students to progress from theory to OSCA to PEP. The theory assessments comprise examinations, short answer questions, case studies, projects, individual/group presentations and reflective journals. OSCA involves the evaluation of students’ nursing skills within simulated nursing laboratories.

The OSCA will replicate a clinical setting, offering scenarios that Enrolled Nurses (ENs) are likely to face as they assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.

During this course you will learn and practice how to:

• Basic to advanced nursing skills within the scope of an enrolled nurse
• Administer medicines & intravenous therapy
• Wound management
• Care of the clients with acute, chronic & mental health conditions
• Care of older clients
• Effective communication

Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

The PEP is an essential component of the program. The PEP is designed to provide students with experiential learning opportunities to apply relevant nursing concepts in clinical practice. The program’s PEP components are carried out in Australian health-care facilities. Students are required to complete 400 hours of PEP distributed over three (3) PEP blocks in aged care, subacute and acute facilities.

Please note: Professional Experience Placement fees are included as part of your tuition fee. Travel and accommodation associated with placement is at the cost of the student.

Any student who is required to repeat a Professional Experience Placement will be responsible for the fees associated with the placement.

Program Resourses

IHNA ensures that quality resources are accessible for staff and students to deliver programs efficiently and effectively. High quality and up-to-date learning resources enhance the effectiveness of the program by boosting the academic performance of students. IHNA provides comprehensive unit guides and learner guides that assist in directing the students to additional resources to support their learning.

• Prescribed textbooks, library, and additional learning resources

  Prescribed textbooks

  • Koutoukidis, G., Stainton, K., & Hughson, J. (2020). Tabbner’s Nursing Care: Theory and Practice. (8th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Tiziani, A. (2021). Havard’s Nursing Guide to Drugs – Mobile Optimised Site: Vol. (11th ed). Elsevier.
  • Waugh, A., & Grant, A. (2022). Ross & Wilson. Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (14th ed). Churchill Livingstone.

Student support services

IHNA offers support services to help students adjust to study, achieve their learning goals and make satisfactory progress towards required learning outcomes. IHNA provides both academic and non-academic support to students. All support services are available to students as per the Student Services Support Policy and the Student Services Support Procedure of IHNA.

Students will have access to support services via the LMS. Full details of support services available to students are set out in the Student Handbook and on the IHNA website.

Examples of student support services include, but are not limited to:

• Orientation to the program, facilities, resources etc.
• English language support
• Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
• Welfare support services
• Counselling support services
  • Internal counselling/mentoring service by IHNA staff
  • External counselling by Relationship Australia
• IT support (available 24/7) for IT issues such as access, logins, using software and many other matters by telephone, email or live chat
• Opportunities to ask questions in real-time with the chat, voice call and video call functions in LMS/Microsoft Teams
• Library and literature search assistance including orientation webinars
• Assistance with academic writing, referencing and citation styles
• After hours support for students while on PEP
• Career guidance
• Access to Resolution Institute (independent mediator)
• Assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• Pastoral care services

IHNA provides support for students from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, international students and students with disabilities. Likewise, IHNA has established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Support Committee to promote and support the communities, not only from students’ perspective but also for the staff members and local communities.

Student support tickets system

The student support ticket system operates at campuses and on the national level. This system is available in multiple platforms and ways for students’ convenience in accessing such services.

• LMS: Students can book support sessions through the LMS on academic matters, student wellbeing and safety, mental health and wellbeing, counselling and library support.
• Chatbot: Students can make contact through Rishi the Bot for all support requests. The chatbot is a 24*7 support system, with academic, admin and other support services. Students can also contact their designated educator, student administration officer, course coordinator and/or placement coordinators through this system.
• Student Hub: Students can book support sessions through the Student Hub on academic matters, student wellbeing and safety, mental health and wellbeing, counselling and library support.
• MS Teams: Students can use MS Teams to make contact with relevant staff member with their support requests. Students can also contact their designated educator, student administration officer, course coordinator and/or placement coordinators through MS Teams.

Student Campus Council (SCC)

IHNA has established a Student Campus Council (SCC) in each campus to organise and coordinate local activities and to make their voice heard on relevant matters and concerns. The minutes of each SCC meeting will be forwarded to the Learning and Teaching Committee and Student Representative Council (SRC) which will listen to student voices, receive feedback and translate them into actions for students’ welfare.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) is an essential component of most of the units of this course. Students will commence the PEP upon completion of theory assessments and OSCA. During the PEP, students will apply the required essential knowledge and skills to demonstrate competency for each unit of this qualification. Students are to complete a total of 400 hours of PEP, which will be held in three stages:

• 120 hours in the aged-care setting (at the end of the first semester)
• 120 hours in the sub-acute setting (at the end of the second semester)
• 160 hours in the acute care setting (at the end of the final semester)

The program provides students with the opportunity to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Evidence is collected using IHNA’s RPL toolkit in line with the RPL Policy and Procedure. Students may be eligible for RPL for any formal, informal and nonformal learning they have undertaken.

Credit transfer for this program, in line with ASQA directions, will only be awarded if the unit code and name are the same.

At IHNA, we strive to provide our students with flexible learning opportunities to assist you to balance their personal, work and life needs

Suitable for working students and students living in the regional area who want to study online live theory class and attend simulation blocks each semester at campus.

Students who want to attend two days of on-campus classes and the rest online supported learning can do so.

All of our students benefit from flexible online learning through IHNA’s digital library, which contains thousands of e-books, nursing journals, and articles.

Access our cutting-edge simulation labs at each campus at your leisure from 8.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily to learn by doing

IHNA also provides the best resources and tools such as recorded lectures and seminars and forums which are available for students to access in their own time.

IHNA makes every effort to provide our students with the best learning opportunities through state of the art learning platforms and experiences

• The ACELMS is a fantastic resource for online learning
• Our teachers all have current clinical experience working in healthcare organisations
• IHNA uses Microsoft Teams to collaborate and communicate more effectively with your teachers and classmate and for students to work with others on a project
• Guest lectures from industry will provide students with first-hand case studies and insights about the work environment
• All our campuses are equipped with a state-of-the-art simulation laboratories
• Access to the most up-to-date technologies, such as virtual simulation using HoloLens.

Graduates of the Diploma of Nursing program have the opportunity to explore a range of career paths in various environments such as hospitals, mental health facilities, aged care facilities, rehabilitation centres, general practitioner clinics or community healthcare settings.

Upon successful registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as an enrolled nurse you may gain employment in various healthcare facilities, which may include:

• Medical centres
• Training resource centres
• Open employment services
• Other community settings and clients’ homes
• Palliative Care
• Hospitals- private and public
• Day respite centres
• Rehabilitation centres
• Residential group homes
• Aged Care

• How long it will take to complete this course?

  18 months(78 Weeks)

• How many days do I have to attend the online live class (Online -blended)?

  4 days/week and 4 Hours/ day (Only for Domestic candidates)

• How many days do I have to attend the Face to Face class (On-campus)?

  2.5 days /or 20 hours/week for International and Domestic students.

• Can I do the SBT (Simulation based training) online?

  NO, SBT, OSCA (Objective Structured Clinical Assessment) and PEP face to face on campus attendance mandatory and it is on Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 16.30. Minimum 4 weeks leave is required for every semester.

• Is the PEP (Professional Experience Placements) flexible?

  No, PEP rosters are set by the placement facility and is aligned with the shifting times of the facility. I.e. 7am to 3pm morning shift and 2 to 10pm for afternoon shift.

• Can I fast track this course?

  No

• Can I get an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) or Credit Transfer?

  Yes, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) based on your previous studies. However, the HLTENN units are specifically available only to students who have successfully completed a Diploma of Nursing program that is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

• Is any pre recorded sessions available?

  As a part of structured interactive learning, pre-recorded lectures and learning resources are provided for students’ independent review before class.

• Is it mandatory to attend a full-day class?

  Yes, 80% of attendance is mandatory for this course.

• What I will learn in SBT (Simulation based training)?

  The student will be trained as assessed nursing skills in a laboratory simulated environment.

• Can I get any support sessions?

  Yes, there is one day support session on each week. Apart from that there will be 24*7 online live support from student support team.

• Do you provide job placement after the course?

  No, but we will guide students to get placement and registration.

• Can I do PEP at my own workplace?

  NO, we will organize the work placement for students. Arrangements are subject to availability.