Diploma of Nursing courses provide Australian nursing candidates with a stream lined way to obtain their nursing degree. This pathway to nursing is commonly used by many Aussies who are interested in a career within this field. The material listed below will explain the Diploma of Nursing degree in detail and provide information about course work and entry requirements.
Why Study a Diploma of Nursing?
A Diploma of Nursing degree will help a person to get a jumpstart on their career. A person can sign up for the course, graduate from their program and start working once they complete nursing requirements.
This type of nursing degree is not as in-depth as a bachelor of nursing degree and is considered a Division 2 form of nursing in Australia. An enrolled nurse or EN is the official title given to many students who enter the nursing field with this type of credential.
However, students can use this degree to get a job within this field while they continue to complete higher level nursing courses. A Diploma of Nursing degree is also useful for individuals who want to quickly switch their career and not spend a lot of time in school making this type of change.
What will you learn from the course?
Diploma of Nursing degrees have a specific set of courses that students must complete. These courses are not the same as a bachelor of nursing degree. Instead, they focus on the essential skills and knowledge that an enrolled nurse will need to work within this field.
Students will learn how to give patients oral medications and they will be taught how to perform various injections. Trainees can also expect to be taught proper patient care procedures and how to function within their environment. Nursing students will also receive instruction in other areas of nursing.
Course Details
The requirements for entering a Diploma of Nursing program will vary by institution. However, there are some nationally set standards that are used by all accredited institutions. Her is a list of the general requirements that can be used for this program.
- First a student will have to sign up for the course at a university or technical school.
- Second, students will probably be required to have a specific grade point average (GPA) from high school to enter this program. If not, they will probably have to maintain a specified GPA to be successful within the course.
- Some schools will also require an approved system of funding (financial aid or personal income) so that students can pay for their program. An institution might require students to take an entrance exam to get into the program. While this does not happen with most institution offering this degree, some education organization providing this type of program do require this of their students.
Course Length
A Nursing of Diploma degree typically takes between 18 months to complete. However, some programs can take up to 2 years. Once again, the program moves at a quicker pace because it is not as in-depth as a regular bachelor of nursing degree.