Division 1 and Division 2 Nurses in Victoria

K+MgSO4, BSN · Jan 25, 2010

A Div 1 is the equvilant of a RN in other states and terrorities. A Div 2 is an EN who may or may not be medication endorsed.

A Div 1 has a longer more acidemic education than the more hospital based training of a Div 2.

Yes a Div 1 is responsible for the pt but the Div 2 has her own registration on the line as well.

Div 1's get a higher wage than a Div 2.

A div 2 can become a Div 1 by doing a conversion course at university.

Hope that answers your questions

boardshorts · Jan 26, 2010

hi karenmaire, thanks for shedding light on this topic. I have more questions though, if you dont mind :-) How long will the conversion course take at the university?and how much? is it expensive? Thank you!

ceridwyn · Jan 26, 2010

A Divison 2 nurse (soon to be called an enrolled nurse again with National Registration) is not exactly hospital trained and actually does the equivalent of a 1 year full time course and comes out with either a CERT 1V or diploma (they cannot seem to make uptheir mind on this yet as we are in transition) either part time or full time at a educational facility called a Tafe here in Victoria (there are some private providers that cost much more) and just does the applicable placement in a health setting. A Tafe is not a university but a place where the profession can teach other their profession, like electricians to apprentice electricians, plumber to appentice plumbers, Division 1 nurses to Division 2 nurses. The fees are much cheaper than going to uni, but this would be for Australian residents only I would believe. Some uni's I believe in NSW have actually started the diploma course for Enrolled nurses, they do the first 2 years of the RN nursing degree, beats me why you would stop at two years then not do the last year!

As for credit to go on to uni for Div 1, well that depends on the uni....some give, a whole year some give a year and a half some only give 6 months.; This may change with national education being standard as of July this year.

For ed. providers go to this website http://www.nbv.org.au

K+MgSO4, BSN · Jan 27, 2010

thanks for the info my knowledge of Div 2 is only18 months of working with them..... as long as I have been in Australia. Board shorts I haven't any idea about the conversion courses or the cost of them but suggest looking at the nbv website.

Ceridywn the 2 year of the 3 year RN course sounds a lot like what happened in the 80's in UK and Ireland when there was ENs there. They done 18 months and then either went to work as an EN or continued on for another 6-12 months to become an RGN. Strange how things seem to go full circle!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 27, 2010

I did my enrolled nurse training in the UK and it was a 2 year course with a licensing exam at the end of it. I later (9 years later) did a conversion course to RN that was 12 months

WizzFizz · Jul 13, 2011

Hi everyone,

I hope no one minds me bumping this post up...I'm brand spanking new to this site and am just stumbling my around trying to find where everything is kept lol.

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some info on progressing from a Div2? I'm a student doing my Diploma of Nursing (EN) and even though I've only just started I'd like to know what my options are once I'm finished. Providing I finish lol.

So I see I can do the extra at Uni to become a Div1/RN. What else could I do? I'm looking at getting into midwifery... Would I need to do a completely new course in that to get into the field? Or can I carry on with something once the Diploma is finished?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

talaxandra · Jul 13, 2011

Hi WizzFizz, and welcome :)

You have three options:

1) go straight into a Bachelor of Midwifery (direct-entry programs in Australia)

2) do a combined Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery (double degree), or

3) take the long route - convert your enrolled qualification (once you have it :)) to a degree, then do a midwifery post-grad.

Like The Amazing Race, each route has it's own pros and cons:

1) the direct entry option is certainly fastest and cheapest, but if you find you don't like mid you've got few other career choices

2) doing a double degree is more expensive, and means more time at uni and a lot more study, but gives you a heap of post-grad flexibility; it also leaves you better qualified for managing non-obstetric emergencies

3) the third path is unquestionably longest, but allows you to work while you study - you can earn money and consolidate your experience. Unless you have a very understanding employer, who'll let you work around your clinical requirements (eg placements), you may have to work bank or agency.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your first leg :)

WizzFizz · Jul 14, 2011

Thank you talaxandra!!

talaxandra · Jul 14, 2011

You're welcome :)

GingerNinja02 · Jun 11, 2019

Hey Everyone,

I am a Year 10 student (hope this chat is still open)

We have to choose subjects and what we are wanting to do in the future. '

I want to become a Nurse and a Midwife. I was told I can go to university and do nursing and Major in midwifery and then I am able to do both, Is this correct?

Also, I'm still a bit confused about the different between Div 1 and 2 nurses. Does it actually matter? Can I just study to be a Div 1 nurse? Is the study length different?

And what subjects for year 11 do I have to do and what ATAR will I need. Research is a bit hard and confusing and they have all been different answers.

Thanks ?

- Ginger

sparticus2008 · Jun 14, 2019

Hello

So to be dual registered as a nurse and a midwife you have a couple of different options.

1. Do a dual degree as an undergraduate at uni - this is a four year course, at the end you will have both a bachelors of nursing & a bachelors of midwifery. (RN/RM)

2. Do a bachelors of nursing (RN) & then do post-graduate studies to gain your midwifery qualification (these can either be pursued independently, or you can be hired by a hospital to do your midwifery training)

3. Go to tafe/college and become an enrolled nurse, then do a conversion course at uni to become a RN (typically 18-24 months) & then do post-graduate studies to become a midwife.

Also, do you want to be a nurse or a midwife? If your main passion is midwifery you can also just do a 3 year bachelors of midwifery