Nurses

The scope of practice for an Enrolled nurse (EN), Registered Nurse (RN) and After Hours Manager (AHM) are quite different. The main difference is the qualification including education preparation and experience. EN's complete a Diploma of Nursing, which is a two-year course, and RN's complete a Bachelor of Nursing, which is a three-year course.

The difference with a Registered Nurse and an After Hours Manager is experience. 

Enrolled Nurse (EN)

• Work under the direct / indirect supervision of an RN
• Perform holistic assessment including observation, physical examination and measurements, for example taking a client’s temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, blood sugar levels, etc.
• Report any changes in a resident’s condition to the RN and doctors
• Assist with personal hygiene tasks and activities of daily living such as showering, bathing, dressing, eating and general comfort
• Assist residents with rehab or exercise programs where applicable
• Plan, implement and evaluate nursing care plan in collaboration with RN and other health care team members to optimise patient outcome
• Assist with general first aid and emergencies
• Promote the safety of self and others in all aspects of nursing practice

Registered Nurse (RN)

• Undertake comprehensive resident assessment
• Develop a nursing care plan in consultation with the multidisciplinary team and evaluate the outcome
• Undertake holistic care including emotional, psychological and spiritual support
• Administer medications and evaluate the outcome
• Operate in a critical and complex environment
• Works as a resident advocate, supervise and mentor EN’s and junior RN’s
• Work in consultation with the multidisciplinary team for the better outcome of the resident
• Participate and contribute to occupational health and safety activities to ensure a safe work environment for residents, family and colleagues. Keeping a safe and clean work environment
• Participate in regular personal and professional development
• Monitoring the residents’ condition and assessing their needs to provide the best possible care and advice
• Observing and interpreting the resident’s symptoms and communicating them to their doctors
• Collaborating with doctors and nurses to devise individualized care plans for residents

After Hours Manager (AHM)

• Take full responsibility for the management of the afterhours shift with regard to  managing clinical and other incidents and follow up, dealing with client or family complaints or concerns, and critical incident management
• Manage clinical care ensuring care is delivered according to the plan of care, undertaking clinical assessments and participating in the development of effective care plans that are able to drive appropriate care and clinical practice
• Take full responsibility for ensuring required assessments, care planning and reviews are undertaken appropriately on shift, and that all necessary documentation is complete
• Support the Medication Program including liaising with the medical practitione, ensuring medication charts are kept up to date and ensuring team members understand their responsibilities in relation to medication administration
• Supervision, monitoring and development of the care team on shift
• Responsibility for ensuring ACFI documentation relevant to the shift is undertaken
• Resourcing clinical and care needs, including roster management

AHPRA stands for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Boards, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Board, work together to ensure that Australia’s registered health practitioners are suitably trained, qualified and safe to practise.

All persons wishing to practice as a Registered Nurse, or Enrolled Nurse, must have an active registration with AHPRA. 

You can find out more information on AHPRA here https://www.ahpra.gov.au/ or about the Nursing and Midwifery Board here https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/ 

If you have completed a year of your studies for a Diploma in Nursing or Bachelor or Nursing, you can work as a Personal Care Worker (PCW) in our residential aged care homes where you can learn from experienced Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses.

To work as an Enrolled Nurse, you will need a completed Diploma in Nursing and an AHPRA Registration.

To work as a Registered Nurse you will need a completed Bachelor of Nursing and an AHPRA Registration.

Many of our staff work as a Personal Care Worker while completing their Diploma in Nursing or their Bachelor in Nursing, and move into an Enrolled Nurse position with Benetas after their placement. Those who have a Diploma in nursing work as an Enrolled Nurse while they complete their Bachelor in Nursing, and then move into a Registered Nurse position with Benetas. After building up experience, you can then move into an After Hours Manager role. 

In our residential home, career progression opportunities include:

• After Hours Manager positions, working as the Nurse in Charge after hours (eg overnights and weekends)
• Clinical Nurse Consultant or Clinical Services Manager, where you oversee and are responsible for providing expert clinical advice and services to staff and residents within an aged care home
• Residential Services Manager, overseeing the operation of the Residential Aged Care Home
• Regional Business Managers that oversee a region of residential aged care homes

As part of our In Home Nursing Services Team, we have a team leader position that coordinates and leads the Nursing team. Some of our Regional Business Managers that oversee regions of Home Care services are also experienced Nurses.

Opportunities are also available within our Head Office. We have experienced nurses that develop learning materials, run clinical forums and programs, or work in the Quality team.

If you are interested in exploring a new career path, please complete an Expression of Interest form, or contact us at careers@benetas.com.au for more information.

If you have completed a year of your studies for a Diploma in Nursing or Bachelor or Nursing, you can work as a Personal Care Worker (PCW) in our residential aged care homes where you can learn from experienced Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses and After Hours Managers. You will need to provide proof that you are enrolled in the studies, and have completed the first year including your placement.

Many of our staff work as a Personal Care Worker while completing their Diploma in Nursing or their Bachelor in Nursing, and move into an Enrolled Nurse position with Benetas after their placement. Those who have a Diploma in nursing work as an Enrolled Nurse while they complete their Bachelor in Nursing, and then move into a Registered Nurse position with Benetas.

Nurse in a Residential Aged Care Home

Our Residential Aged Care Homes are a facility that provide 24/7 care and nursing assistance to older Victorians that live there. Some homes have 40 residents living within the home, to larger homes with over 100 residents. Each resident has their own room, and some of our homes have ‘apartments’ with separate living areas and meals facilities within.

Staff in our residential aged care homes work in shifts (morning shift; afternoon shift; night shift), across the 7 days of the week. Staff work together, and there are Personal Care Workers, Enrolled Nurses, and Registered Nurses all on the different shifts.

You will work at the one location for your shift.  

In Home Nursing Service

Our In Home Nursing Service provides nursing care to persons of all ages within the community, including one on one nursing support to clients within their own home.

You will travel between client’s homes in the community, and may see 2-4 clients per day depending on the need and distance.

This service is not limited to only older persons.  

Enrolled Nurses require a Diploma in Nursing or an overseas equivalent.

Registered Nurses and In Home Nurses require a Bachelor of Nursing or an overseas equivalent.

After Hours Managers require a Bachelor of Nursing or an overseas equivalent, and experience. 

Completing one year of a bachelor degree for nursing as a registered nurse is not equivalent to completing a Diploma in Nursing that leads to registration as an enrolled nurse. However, completing one year of a bachelor degree or one year of a Diploma of Nursing will qualify you to work as a Personal Care Worker (PCW) / Personal Care Assistant (PCA).

You will need to be registered with AHPRA.