title: Comparisons of the educational preparation of registered and enrolled nurses in Australia: the educators' perspectives.
abstract: Similar to the U.S.A., New Zealand and Singapore, Australia registers two levels of nurse, the degree or postgraduate entry prepared registered nurse and diploma or certificate-prepared enrolled nurse. Over the past decade, significant changes have occurred in educational preparation of enrolled nurses. This has resulted in enrolled nurses undertaking many roles and responsibilities previously undertaken only by registered nurses. An exploratory qualitative research study using interviews with educators of both registered and enrolled nurses was undertaken to investigate differences in educational preparation of registered and enrolled nurses in Australia. This paper describes perceptions around how participants viewed educational approaches and different cohorts, types and levels of students. Similarities included topics covered and the majority skills taught, although high acuity skills remain a difference between the levels of nurse. Differences were also found in type of student, educational background and teaching methods.
authors.affiliation: Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Northways Road, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia. Electronic address: Elisabeth.jacob@federation.edu.au.
authors.forename: Elisabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Northways Road, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia. Electronic address: Lisa.mckenna@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.affiliation: Federation University, Gippsland Campus, Northways Road, Churchill, Victoria 3842, Australia. Electronic address: Angelo.damore@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amore
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing; D013663:Teaching
keywords: Enrolled nurse; Nurse education; Qualitative; Registered nurse