Trainee Enrolled Nurse - Education Program
Enrolled Nursing may be the career for you.
The Northern Sydney Central Coast Health (NSCCH) Enrolled Nurse Education Programme provides the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of facilities whilst developing professionally and enjoying your work.
Trainee Enrolled Nurse Education Program brochure + Information Letter
Entry Requirements
All applicants must:
- Be 17 years of age or over
- Be an Australian Citizen or hold an Australian Permanent Resident VISA.
- Hold a Statement of Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy Entrance Test; or meet Tertiary Qualification or HSC exemption criteria.
- Hold a Statement of Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy Entrance Test; or meet Tertiary Qualification or HSC exemption criteria.
- Provide evidence of satisfactory communication skills in English.
NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all patients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees and students. Course participants will be required to provide evidence of immunisation status.
NB. The NSW Nurses and Midwives Board may refuse an application for enrolment in either of the following cases:
- The Board is of the opinion that the applicant does not have sufficient physical or mental capacity to practise nursing
- The applicant has been convicted of an offence (either in or outside NSW) and the Board is of the opinion that the circumstances of the offence render the applicant unfit in the public interest to practise nursing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Trainee Enrolled Nurse (TEN)?
A TEN is employed (at a Hospital, Nursing Home or Centre) on a full-time basis while they complete a 12 month education programme (at no cost to the TEN) consisting of 15 weeks theory conducted at a participating TAFE and 37 weeks of clinical practice.
Upon completion of the programme requirements the qualification awarded allows eligibility to apply to the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board (NMB) for enrolment.
What hours does a TEN work?
When the TEN is in TAFE required hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm (approximately). During Clinical Experience, the TEN works shifts and is rostered according to facility staffing requirements including weekends and/or night duty.
Are TEN’s paid while doing the course?
TEN’s are paid in accordance with the relevant award applicable to their employing facility which includes shift allowances.
Are TEN’s entitled to Annual Leave?
The TEN is paid 6 weeks annual leave on completion of the course.
There is no routine annual leave rostered during the 12 month course.
Can the Course be undertaken part-time?
No, the course is only currently offered on a full-time basis.
What do TEN’s wear?
TEN’s will be required to purchase Uniforms. An allowance is provided to assist with uniform costs which are tax deductible.
When do I apply to do the course?
There are three (3) intakes for Trainee Enrolled Nurses per year. Applicants are required to apply by the specified closing date for each intake. The closing date is usually 3-4 months prior to course commencement.
What is involved in the application process?
All applicants need to meet the entry requirements prior to submitting an application. Applicants either need to sit the Literacy and Numeracy (L&N) Entrance Test at the College of Nursing or meet the exemption criteria.
Information and applications to sit the test, along with sample papers, are available at www.nursing.edu.au or by phoning (02) 9745 7500.
Applicants who already hold an appropriate Degree or Diploma, or have completed Year 12 within the last three years and meet the required Band Levels in English and Maths may claim an exemption from sitting the L&N Entrance Test.
What is the L&N Entrance Test?
The L&N Entrance Test consists of three tests – Literacy and Numeracy test; Literacy test; and Numeracy test. Literacy includes reading comprehension and written expression. Numeracy includes basic mathematics as well as fractions, decimals and metric conversions. The test each applicant needs to sit depends on previous studies and qualifications.
Application Process
Application Forms and Entry Requirements are available from the Department of Health Nursing and Midwifery website www.nursing.nsw.gov.au or by phoning 1300 724 995 or emailing
ten@doh.health.nsw.gov.au. Applications forms need to be lodged by the specified closing date. Following the closing date, application forms are allocated out to the Area Health Services.
Who will contact me regarding an interview?
Applicants will be contacted by their allocated Area Health Service by mail regarding the venue, date and time of the interview. Applicants are to take the requested documents to the interview as originals must be sighted at this time. (Due to the large number of applications it may not be possible to interview every applicant)
Course Outline
The course outline is as follows:
The programme consists of 15 weeks theory and 37 weeks clinical experience.
TAFE Block 1 Theory component: 8 weeks
Basic nursing care clinical experience: 7-9 weeks undertaken at the employing facility (Work Practice I)
TAFE Block 2 Theory component: 7 weeks
The remaining clinical experience is undertaken at both the employing facility and other participating facilities within Northern Sydney Central Coast Health and Western Sydney Health (Work Practice II)
As part of your clinical experience 4 weeks will be completed in the following areas:
- Medical Nursing
- Surgical Nursing
- Aged Care or Rehabilitation Nursing
A specialty area will also be allocated.
Specialty areas include:
- Maternity Nursing
- Maternal and Child Nursing
- Perioperative Nursing
- Paediatric Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Rehabilitation (Spinal) Nursing
- Orthopaedic Nursing
- Severe Burns Nursing
- Psychogeriatric Nursing
- Cardiac Nursing
Due to the large number of TEN’s, requests are not able to be considered for specific specialty areas.
Where are TEN’s employed?
Employment and training occurs in accredited hospitals, nursing homes and centres within Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service. Examples of employing facilities may include:
|
Public Hospitals |
- |
Surgical, Medical, Aged Care, Maternity, Mental Health, Paediatric, Palliative Care, Psychogeriatric, Rehabilitation |
|
Nursing Homes |
- |
Aged Care, Dementia Specific Care |
|
Private Hospitals |
- |
Surgical, Maternity, Medical, Mental Health, Rehabilitation |
|
Centres |
- |
Aged Care, Mental Health, Rehabilitation |
What happens when I complete the course?
Successful completion of both the theoretical and clinical components of the course will enable participants to enrol with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.
What is an Enrolled Nurse (EN)?
Enrolled Nurses are an associate of the Registered Nurse (RN) providing “hands on” care to patients. EN responsibilities in the provision of patient-centred nursing care include support and comfort, assisting patients with activities of daily living, and providing for emotional needs of individuals. EN’s assist the RN in planning and evaluating nursing care, contributing to decision making which includes observing, reporting and recording, changes in health functional status and individual responses to healthcare interventions.
Enrolled Nurses are employed throughout Australia in many geographical locations including metropolitan, rural, remote areas, and even overseas.
Is further study available for EN’s?
There are a variety of post enrolment courses available to EN’s conducted by the College of Nursing, TAFENSW and NSCCH provides continuing education programmes.
NSCCH Enrolled Nurse Education Unit
Level 3, Vindin House
Royal North Shore Hospital
St Leonards NSW 2065
Ph: 9926 7002
Fax: 9926 6735
nursepro@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Did you know? There is something for everyone in NSCCH!
