A career in nursing and midwifery Rebecca Newton Senior Nursing Officer Nursing and Midwifery Office

Nursing and midwifery are rewarding professions that can provide many experiences, opportunities and challenges  You can travel  You don’t have to be stuck in an office  The work is stimulating  What you do is satisfying  What you do matters – you make a difference  You can change where you work

Employment opportunities  Nurses and midwives are always in demand  You can work in the public or private system  WA Health offers excellent graduate programs  You can work in metropolitan, regional areas, interstate or overseas  You can work in a hospital, community, clinic, school, cruise ship, mine site, university and…..

Some areas nurses work in Aboriginal health burns cardiology (heart) clinical nursing community continence dementia diabetes education dialysis domiciliary (nursing care in the home) education (hospital or university based) emergency family health gerontology/aged care infection control intensive care management medical nursing mental health neonatal intensive care (newborn babies) nurse practitioner occupational health oncology (relating to cancer) paediatric (children) peri-operative (operating theatres) plastic surgery rehabilitation remote area nursing research rural nursing surgical nursing wound care

Registered nurse (RN)  University educated (3-3.5 yrs full-time)  Largest group of nurses employed  Graduates earn $51,175 plus shift bonuses  Pay increases annually  Work in the largest variety of clinical settings  Many opportunities for promotion  Diversity in roles – education, research, management, clinical, policy, human resources

Enrolled nurse (EN)  Diploma level qualification months at training institutes  Graduates earn $45,916 plus shift bonuses  Can work in a variety of areas, but more limited than RN role  Works under the supervision of the RN  Expanding role – can specialise (Advanced Skills EN), give medications  Pathway to RN education

Midwife  Males can be midwives  The word midwife means “with woman  Midwives give support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and after the baby is born  Midwives conduct births and provide care for the newborn baby  Can work in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, birthing centres or in the woman’s home.

Midwife cont..  University educated  Direct entry program 3 years  Double degree (RN and Mid) 4 years  Postgraduate 12-18months (after RN degree)  Graduates earn $51,175 plus shift bonuses  Pay increases annually

What about shift work?  Patients need care 24/7 so shift work is required  You can make requests  You can have days off during the week  You can sleep in and go to work at 1pm, or start early and finish work at 3.30pm.  You earn extra money  You get extra days off

What subjects do I need?  Registered nursing and midwifery  Year 12 science, maths and English  ATAR usually between  Enrolled nursing  A pass in Year 12 English

Where can I study registered nursing?  Curtin University  Campus – Bentley, Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie  Edith Cowan University  Campus – Joondalup and Bunbury  Murdoch University  Campus – Peel (Mandurah)  University of Notre Dame  Campus – Fremantle and Broome  University of WA and Curtin – graduate masters degree (you must have a degree first)

Where can I study midwifery? Undergraduate and postgraduate  Curtin University  Campus – Bentley  Edith Cowan University  Campus – Joondalup Postgraduate  University of Notre Dame  Campus – Fremantle

Alternative pathways If you don’t complete TEE: A Certificate IV in Health Science Foundations at TAFE or Marr MooditjTAFEMarr Mooditj TAFETAFE also offer a Certificate IV in Preparation for Entry into Enrolled Nursing Recognition of prior learning Credits towards course entrance based on previous qualifications obtained or partially completed, or any work experience. Qualified enrolled nurses can complete the conversion to RN course at Curtin or Edith Cowan University. CurtinEdith Cowan University For those with other tertiary qualification, they may be eligible to complete a Graduate Pathway or Entry-to-Practice course to become an RN. Those without and who are over 20 may need to complete a ATAR Preparation Course, a Bridging Course (available through the universities and TAFES offering the course you want to complete) or a Special Tertiary Admissions Test before embarking on any nursing or midwifery courses within Western Australia.Special Tertiary Admissions Test

Scholarships The Nursing and Midwifery Office provides up to $2 million in scholarships every year. We offer scholarships to help you become a nurse or midwife. Scholarships are available after completing:  6 months of EN program  12 months of RN or midwife program We also offer scholarship for postgraduate study to progress your career. Nursing graduates also receive debt reductions for Higher Education Loan Programs when you go to university.

Where will it take you?