General queries on nursing

talaxandra · Jul 13, 2011

1) What is the difference between an enrolled nurse and a registered nurse in terms of responsibilities, etc?

This depends a lot on where you work - on my acute medical unit RN's and EN's have a similar patient load. The main difference is scope of practice (there are patients the EN's can't care for, limitations on the drugs they can give, greater restriction on who they can check drugs with) and in career path. For RN's in my workplace, though they can do additional courses and add a few responsibilities (eg IV medications), the role they have on day one is substantially the same five or ten years later. RN's, on the other hand, can be in charge, move in to education, advance along the path to independent practitioner, and dozens of other positions. RN's also have more portability - to the best of my knowledge EN's can't get overseas registration, and internationally-educated EN equivalents can't work here.

2) Probably similar to the first question. What is the difference in resposibilities between a diploma and a degree holder?

In Australia all registered nurses educated after around 1994 graduated with a degree. There are many older nurses (like me :)) who have a lesser qualification but met registration criteria at the time. For those nurses there's no difference in scope of responsibility. For student nurses in Australia now, the difference is how long the course is and what the qualification will be at the end.

3) A friend of mine hurt her back trying to lift up a patient. Are nurses expected to lift up a patient all by herself?

In theory no - all Australian workplaces are overseen by WorkSafe, and all facilities that require patient handling should have adequate equipment.

My workplace (and this may be a federal requirement) has an annual evalusation of all staff assessing knowledge and technique of manual handling methods, to ensure we know what current accepted practice is and are able to implement it correctly. We also have a variety of devices to help, from slide sheets to hoists. Other wards at my hospital are not as well equipped, while some have tools we don't have easy access to.

In practice, particularly when rushed or if the equipment isn't available immediately, nurses sometimes cut corners - if all the standing lifters are in use and you have a patient desperate for the toilet, or family in your face, it can be tempting to try a standing transfer instead.

Even with utilising best practice and proper technique, accidents can happen - patients aren't always cooperative, they make sudden moves, or they faint, or they don't wait, or the battery dies mid-transfer, or just rolling the patient on to their side to put the slide sheet underneath means you have to assume an awkward pose.

Nurses continue to have the highest rate of back and neck injuries. The safest thing to do is always use safe technique and appropriate equipment, and take responsibility for your back. I've injured mine four times, the last over fifteen years ago - now I have regular therapeutic massage, with an additional session if I have a twinge, and I do a yoga class every week to maintain flexibility.

4) Any international nurse here could advice how long does it take to obtain a permanent resident status upon study completion?

I'm not sure if you mean after studying here, or emigrating after studying overseas. If it's the first, you may have trou le getting a graduate position, because you'll be competing with local students. Many places will be wary of employing you without the experience of a graduate program.

Other members may be better able to advise you, but I think you'd be more successful qualifying in Singapore, getting a little experience under your belt, then moving here.

You may find this link useful; registered nurses are on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).

Good luck :)

Yesutor · Apr 29, 2014

I just joined this group and am so happy and impressed about what am learning.

God bless u all for the wonderful work.

Blessings