Diploma Of Nursing

This is a Free TAFE for Priority Course. Find out about your eligibility

Prepare to become an enrolled nurse and impact lives through care across the health sector

Course code

HLT54121

Delivery location

Berwick, Frankston

International

Go to International students page

Length

Full Time, 18 months.

Start dates

3 February, 28 April, 28 July, 14 October

• Timetable

  Phase 1 - Four days a week. 9am - 3.30pm.
  Phase 2 - Four days a week. 9am - 3.30pm.
  Phase 3 - Four days a week. 9am - 3.30pm.
  
  Each scheduled day is divided into two sessions: lecture, tutorial or integrated clincial skills. On campus attendance days will vary by gorup and campus, according to the set timetables.

• Study units

  Unit code	Unit Description
  HLTAAP003	Analyse and respond to client health information
  HLTENN040	Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy
  HLTENN041	Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
  HLTENN036	Apply communication skills in nursing practice
  HLTENN039	Apply principles of wound management
  BSBPEF402	Develop personal work priorities
  HLTENN057	Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetes
  HLTENN045	Implement and monitor care of the older person
  HLTENN042	Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions
  HLTENN047	Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting
  HLTAAP002	Confirm physical health status
  HLTINF006	Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
  HLTWHS002	Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice
  HLTENN068	Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice
  CHCDIV002	Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
  HLTENN044	Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions
  HLTENN043	Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions
  CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people.
  HLTWHS006	Manage personal stressors in the work environment
  HLTENN035	Practise nursing within the Australian health care system
  HLTAID014	Provide Advanced First Aid
  HLTENN038	Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care
  HLTENN037	Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care
  CHCPOL003	Research and apply evidence to practice

• Assessment methods

  • Observation
  • Questioning or Test/Quiz
  • Presentation
  • Portfolio
  • Logbook/ Diary/ Journal

• Admission requirements

  • Year 12 or Equivalent
  • You must be 18 years or older prior to the commencement of placement (term 4).

  Inherent requirements

  Our inherent requirements are a guide to help you decide if a course is right for you.

  If you are a student with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or are a primary carer of an individual with a disability, you can apply for support through our Equitable Learning and Disability Support team.

  Physical:
  • Students need to be able to complete manual tasks associated with therapy assistance and should have a proficient level of physical fitness to be able to complete the course
  • Stand and / or walk for prolonged periods (>30 minutes) of time when working within a care role
  • Lift and or assist in the movement / of a patient(s) of varying size and capacity
  • Provide basic cleaning duties including but not limited to, wiping down surfaces, mopping, carrying cleaning products of varying weights including buckets, cleaning agents and other pieces of equipment between locations and ability to operate a step ladder safely.
  • Ability to undertake Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - please note that CPR must be practised on a mannikin located on the floor for a minimum of two (2) minutes over five (5) cycles
  • Ability to be able to read very small print (e.g. measurements along a syringe, medication container labels, expiry dates)
  • Ability to be able to grasp, push, press, turn, squeeze and manipulate objects to perform tasks to manage patient care (e.g. pump up a blood pressure cuff, administering an injection, applying wound dressings using tweezers)
  • Ability to be able to perform activities such as bending, squatting, kneeling to assist with moving or positioning clients, moving equipment in confined spaces and over defined distances, assisting clients with personal care needs such as showering and dressing)
  • Ability to be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time eg a normal shift requires the nurse to walk approximately 10 km
  • Ability to be able to hear and differentiate sounds that may alert you to a problem (e.g. a client with breathing difficulties, coughs, vomiting; a softly spoken client, background noise, alarms, speech) and detect calls for help or the activation of a call bell for assistance
  
  Cognitive:
  • Robust interpersonal skills including written, verbal and non-verbal practices.
  • Ability to take and provide structured critical feedback as well as follow basic instructions both written and verbal.
  • Learners must instill sound bedside manners including personal hygiene and general sense for infection control and general WHS practices
  • Learners must have basic computer literacy, including but not limited to the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), email functions, internet browsing and other general computer functions
  • Ability to utilise industry based online platforms and or patient management software
  • Ability to read, write, understand and apply information and documents (e.g. reports, charts, and clinical documentation, workplace instructions, policies and procedures)
  • Able to use judgement/basic problem-solving skills e.g. to respond to immediate safety risks
  • Able to perform basic mathematical functions with and without the use of a calculator e.g. for measuring medications, medication calculations, using the 24-hour clock, completing a fluid balance chart. Maths is required for medication calculations includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, percentages, the metric system, metric conversion, and ratios.
  
  Emotional
  Emotional flexibility and stability to cater for varying patient needs and the ability to handle general stressors (meeting deadlines, managing expectations, task management, etc.)
  • Able to work under pressure and function effectively in stressful situations
  • Attention to detail
  • Be receptive and respond appropriately to feedback
  • Dependable and professional (e.g. reliable, responsible, punctual, professional approach and personal presentation, fulfilling obligations, maintaining confidentiality)
  • Genuine interest in interacting and working with people
  • Tolerate close proximity with individuals (including physical contact and being alone with other students/supervisor/clients as appropriate)
  • Willingness to care/work with people regardless of social and cultural backgrounds, or gender, age, culture, sexuality or religion
  Work Placement Skills
  • Specific skills in addition to those listed above that will be required during work placement include:
  • Able to work under direct supervision
  • Accept personal responsibility for accurate completion of work and seek help when required
  • Ability to be on your feet for extended periods of times, both walking and standing
  • Ability to deal with bodily fluids (e.g. vomit, blood, urine and faeces)
  • Ability to separate work and life, including practice self-care
  • Ability to transport self to and from work placement
  • Capacity to undertake shift work and/or work on weekends. Physical capability to cope with the demands of shift work (e.g. early, late and night shifts over a seven (7) day roster).
  • Maintain neat personal appearance, including a high level of personal hygiene
  Technical and Digital Skills
  • Operational knowledge of computers/smart devices, including capacity to use industry specific tools, software and equipment
  • Use information technology to support communication (e.g. computer for reports, email and documents)

  Language, literacy and numeracy

  You are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills test before course commencement. This will determine course suitability and if you may need additional support.
  
  We use an approved online skills review tool to determine your language, literacy and numeracy skills within the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
  
  Below are the levels required for this course:

  • Language and literacy: 3
  • Numeracy: 3.
  
  
  The evidence requirements for registration have been recently updated by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and Chisholm enrolment processes align with those requirements. If you are identified as requiring an English test at registration, you must provide evidence of meeting that requirement prior to enrolment.
  
  You will be asked to complete documentation during the application process to identify how you will meet the English language requirements and provide evidence as required. Full details of the English language requirements and the evidence required are contained in the Diploma of Nursing Information Pack which will be sent to you on application.

• Practical placement

  You will need to complete 400 hours of practical placement to successfully complete the course.
  
  Practical placement is undertaken primarily between Monday to Friday, morning or afternoon. Some facilities may schedule placements on weekends and public holidays.
  
  You will be placed across a combination of work place settings:
  
  • Aged care (two weeks)
  • Mental health/rehabilitation combined (four weeks)
  • Acute (four weeks)
  
  All clinical placements are organised by Chisholm, and we will place you at a chosen clinical host.

  Documentation or licences required for practical placement

  Vaccination certificates are required.
  
  You must also:
  • Hold a valid Working with Children Check (volunteer or employee) for the duration of the program.
  • Hold a valid National Police Record Check. If you believe there would be a disclosable issue on your National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required before enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.

• Simulated work environment

  You will be required to be in the nursing simulation labs every week from the start of the course. When in the labs you are required to wear your Chisholm top, black plants and black shoes. We consider the nursing lab as a real work environment so you will be required to dress as if you were going to be on placement.
  You will need to be able to:
  • stand for long periods
  • use manual handling equipment.
  
  The following dress code applies on campus and/or on placement:
  • Shoes – black and non-slip. Your shoes will need to cover your whole foot to your ankle
  • Uniform – as provided by Chisholm
  • Hair – must be kept above your shoulders. Long hair must be tied into a bun.
  • No eyelash extensions
  • Nails – must be kept short. No acrylic nails or nail polish.
  • Piercings – no large loops
  • Jewellery must be kept to a minimum. Hand jewellery limited to a single band (no stones).

• Course and career pathways

  Nationally recognised training	Diploma Of Nursing	Bachelor Of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Pathway)
  Possible job outcome	enrolled nurse	registered nurse practice nurse at GP school nurse clinical nurse specialist

• Fees

  Tuition fees* (GST exempt)

  Fees

  Fee Type	Fee Amount	Select
  Free TAFE	FREE	freeAmount
  Concession	Not available	ConcessionAmount
  Government subsidised	$19,470	GovernmentSubsidisedAmount
  Full fee paying	$37,170	FullfeeAmount
  Mandatory other fees** (GST inclusive)
  Materials	$995	MaterialFeeAmount
  And one of: Student services – concession (annual) OR	Not available	studentservicefeewithConcession
  Student services - no concession (annual)	$270	studentservicefeewithnoConcession

  Total fees  

  Additional costs
  

  There may be some additional costs required to successfully complete your course. This may be equipment, tools or text books.

  • Textbooks - Approx Cost $90 Details:Gatford and Phillip’s drug calculations, Havard’s Nursing guide to drugs
  • Uniform - Approx Cost $60
  • Excursions or memberships - Approx Cost $110 second police check and ANMF membership

  *Student tuition fees are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Please note: Fees will be subject to change if the course runs over two or more calendar years. Check here to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.
  **You are required to pay additional fees for materials and support services, not covered by your tuition fees. This may include things like learning resources, personal protective equipment/clothing, and vary depending on the course you study. Material fees are also subject to change given individual circumstances. Please note: You will also be required to pay the Student Services fee for each year of enrolment.

• Help with fees

  At Chisholm, you can get a VET Student Loan to help you pay for all or part of the tuition fees for this course. VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements. VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid. Find out more about how a VET Student Loan can help you study now and pay later.

  If you are eligible for a student loan, you can access up to $18,097 from 1 January, 2024 ($18,838 from 1 January, 2025) to help cover the tuition fees for this course.

  Scholarships

  Annual scholarships may be available to eligible students suffering financial hardship through the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation. Find out how to apply for a scholarship. 

  Government-subsidised training

  Check to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.

• Skills recognition

  Your current skills, knowledge and experience can help you get a qualification.

  Find out about skills recognition and RPL for certificate to advanced diploma courses.

  Find out about advanced standing for graduate certificate, graduate diploma and bachelor degree courses.