Nursing Tasmania Feature

Before any student accepts an offer to undertake the Bachelor of Nursing, they should be aware of the legislative requirements for the registration of nurses in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia.

The successful completion of the Bachelor of Nursing degree at this University is only one of the requirements for registration as a nurse.

Nursing Registration Acts in all Australian States and Territories impose additional conditions for registration which include the requirements that the person has sufficient physical and mental capacities and is of good character.

Registration Boards take such factors as previous criminal convictions into account when determining an applicant's good character.

If you are in doubt as to whether you would meet the legislative requirements to register as a nurse, it would be advisable to contact the Nurses Board of Tasmania before you enrol as a student in the Bachelor of Nursing course.

If you are applying for a shorter course based on previous qualifications, please be aware that you should hold a current practising certificate from the Nurses Board of Tasmania and be prepared to produce it before your enrolment is approved. This practising certificate will determine which course <undergrad.html> you will be eligible for.

Nurses wishing to apply for registration/enrolment under the Nursing Act, 1995 who undertook their educational preparation overseas, and who have not previously been registered/enrolled in an Australian State or Territory, must have their suitability for registration/enrolment assessed by the ANCI prior to making application with the Nursing Board of Tasmania. Forms for ANCI assessment are available on www.anci.org.au.

Exceptions to the above occur for Overseas Educated Nurses who undertook their educational preparation in the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa (and who gained initial registration/enrolment with the South African Nursing Council), New Zealand, United States of America, Canada and Singapore. Graduates of these countries may apply directly to the Nursing Board of Tasmania for registration/enrolment. Graduates from Singapore, who completed their education prior to 1992, and graduates from the Province of Quebec in Canada must demonstrate English proficiency.

Applications from graduates of Countries referred to in the previous paragraph must supply, in addition to normal documentary requirements, a verification from the registration authority in their Country of initial registration/enrolment.

Applicants who are also applying to migrate to Australia must have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Nursing Council Inc. prior to applying to the Nursing Board of Tasmania for registration.

Applicants for registration/enrolment who were educated Overseas and who do not meet the requirements for registration/enrolment may, at the Board's discretion, be permitted to undertake a Migrant Bridging Program to assist them to meet the requirements for registration/enrolment. Currently in Tasmania there are two accredited Migrant Bridging Programs.

Applicants for registration who undertook their nursing education in the Philippines are required to successfully complete the accredited migrant bridging program at the University of Tasmania and demonstrate competence in order to be eligible for registration as a nurse in Tasmania.

Suitability to undertake a Migrant Bridging Program will be determined by the Nurse Adviser. Applicants are interviewed at the Board by a professional officer prior to commencing the program.

All applicants for registration who were educated in an overseas jurisdiction where English is not the first language, must pass the nursing version of the Overseas English Test (OET) provided by the National Languages & Literacy Institute of Australia (NLLIA) or achieve an overall band score of 7 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), prior to being considered for registration.

Program One - Entry to Practice Program for Overseas Qualified Nurses	Program Two - Pre-Registration Program for Overseas Qualified Nurses
Brief Description of Program The program is a self directed learning package comprised of theoretical and practical components. It is based on the ANCI national competency standards for Registered Nurses. Participants must successfully complete both the theoretical and practical modules and be able to demonstrate competence in order to be eligible for registration. Location of Program The clinical practice module must be undertaken at a hospital that has Nursing Board of Tasmania accredited preceptors/assessors. the preceptor/assessor is responsible for verifying to the Board that a nurse is competent for registration. Nurses are expected to negotiate their own contract for clinical practice at an approved hospital. The clinical practice module is of a minimum of twelve weeks duration. Length of Program Self paced theory component, average time to complete 8 weeks plus 12 weeks clinical practice. Resident Status Australian resident status is not required. Cost The cost of the theoretical component of the program is approximately $550. Applicants are also responsible for any charges made by the individual hospitals.	Brief Description of Program This one year full time program consists of theoretical and clinical practice units. Participants must successfully complete the program , be able to demonstrate the ANCI National Competencies for Registered Nurses and be recommended by the Dean, School of Nursing, University of Tasmania in order to be eligible for registration. Location of Program University of Tasmania, School of Nursing. Length of Program One year full time. Resident Status Australian resident status is not required. Cost Standard university fees and HECS apply.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA), through the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) helps overseas qualified professionals achieve recognition of their qualifications. Bridging training helps candidates prepare to meet formal recognition requirements to obtain employment in their profession. Financial support is provided by NOOSR for bridging programs.

The Overseas Qualifications Unit (OQU) in Tasmania provides information, advice and assistance to candidates to prepare submissions for bridging courses, but has no provision to fund these courses.

Applicants should contact Ms Sue Hunt, Phone (03) 6233 7948, or toll free within Australia 1800 855 846. Address Level 3, 99 Bathurst Street, Hobart, TAS 7000.