Programs for Registration as a nurse: inherent requirements

In clinical experiences nursing students may be expected to:

• Identify and locate appropriate and important information (ANSAT 1.4).
• Conceptualise, integrate, process, interpret and implement knowledge and information to perform clinical tasks in a timely manner (ANSAT 4.1).
• Accurately and quickly recall information without access to reference materials.
• Analyse and evaluate scientific results (ANSAT 4.2).
• Rapidly collate, synthesise and use information to make informed clinical care decisions (ANSAT 5.2).
• Communicate complex ideas effectively to a range of people in a variety of formats (ANSAT 3.3).
• Perform accurate numerical calculations, typically without a calculator, record and interpret numerical data, and apply numerical criteria.

Health environments are complex and dynamic. The safe and effective delivery of nursing care requires the quick processing of a lot of information to make effective decisions. Nurses draw upon a comprehensive scientific knowledge base to interpret and analyse information and make decisions about patient care. Within nursing contexts this decision making can be time critical and nurses need to have capacities to make quick and accurate decisions.

Graduates are required to demonstrate the ability to make quick and independent decisions in care settings. Adjustments can provide support to students to consolidate foundational knowledge and develop mechanisms (e.g. notebooks, memory aides), which do not interfere with patient care, for recall and processing of information.

In clinical experiences nursing students may be expected to:

• Use communication skills effectively in clinical and workplace settings (ANSAT 2.2 and ANSAT 2.3).
• Understand and respond to verbal and written instructions accurately and appropriately (ANSAT 2.1).
• Demonstrate clear and audible verbal communication with individuals and groups relevant to the context of the situation (ANSAT 6.1).
• Read and understand a range of written information (ANSAT 1.4).
• Produce accurate, concise and clear documentation (ANSAT 1.5).
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity in communication with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds (ANSAT 1.3).
• Record information accurately and consistently in various formats, including handwritten charts, typed documents, and electronic record keeping and data management systems. (ANSAT 1.5).

Providing safe and effective patient care requires the empathetic and accurate sharing of information with patients, carers and with other members of the healthcare team. Consistent and accurate recording of health documentation is important to ensure ongoing safe care of patients, and speed and accuracy of verbal communication is important in healthcare situations. Effective and appropriate interpersonal communication is important in developing trusting relationships with patients, and with some patients, due to disability or other limitations; communication may be restricted. This requirement should also be considered alongside the requirement for professionalism and interpersonal relationships which are often dependent upon effective communication.

In clinical placements students must be able to demonstrate effective communication both with patients, carers and as part of the healthcare team. It is expected that a student, who has not previously studied in a recognised English-speaking country, can demonstrate competence in English at a level equivalent to IELTS 7.0 (no band lower than 7) for registration as a registered nurse (see Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website for further information). Students may employ tools and supports to ensure effective communication, such as dictionaries where appropriate, provided such do not interfere with patient safety, care and timely response.

In clinical experiences nursing students may be expected to:

• Listen attentively to people when conducting health assessments or consultations (ANSAT 4.1).
• Conduct a health assessment and physical examination of a patient detecting abnormalities (ANSAT 4.1).
• Use a range of equipment with auditory and visual displays, such as a sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, electronic recording equipment and monitoring devices (ANSAT 4.1).
• Observe alarms, warnings and directions including reading medicine labels.
• Observe behaviours and contribute to social and behavioural assessments (ANSAT 4.1).
• Detect subtle differences and changes in colours, such as analysing skin condition and complexion (ANSAT 4.1).
• Detect subtle differences and changes in shape, texture and movement, such as analysing human movements or skin condition (ANSAT 4.1).

Determination of appropriate patient care is made based on a range of observations and measurements gathered through visual, auditory and tactile senses. Students must be able to make effective assessments of patient characteristics and maintain consistent, accurate and safe care of self and others.

In clinical placements students are required to demonstrate the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. This includes making effective assessments of patient characteristics within safe time frames. Supports may be provided to accommodate visual or auditory impairments, such as hearing aids, amplified stethoscopes, or glasses, but these must not compromise patient treatment or safety.

In clinical experiences nursing students may be expected to:

• Undertake cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for sustained periods.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, stand, twist and bend in the provision of patient care in a safe manner in accordance with facilty policies and procedures (ANSAT 2.3).
• Use equipment to perform manual handling (ANSAT 6.1).
• Use fine motor dexterity in the provision of patient care, such as the manipulation of needles, knobs, dials and computer equipment (ANSAT 4.1; 4.2).
• Provide physical personal care to patients in confined or limited spaces, such as small bathroom areas (ANSAT 6.1).
• Manipulate instruments and equipment in tests and measurements demonstrating fine dexterity (ANSAT 4.1).

Provision of care within nursing environments involves the manipulation of a range of equipment and physical support of patients. Students must be able to perform these activities consistently and safely in a range of environments reducing harm to themselves and others.

Any adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and the capacity to provide appropriate care. Students may use supports and tools, for example an ankle brace, provided these do not interfere with patient safety and care, including presenting as a biohazard, for example due to transfer of biomaterials. Students must be able to complete a minimum 8-hour shift in the clinical setting.

In clinical experiences nursing students may be expected to:

• Work effectively in a team in clinical and workplace settings (ANSAT 2.2 and ANSAT 2.3).
• Maintain behavioural stability and effective interactions in emotionally challenging situations including medical emergencies and events involving human suffering, trauma and death (ANSAT 3.4).
• Manage uncertainties and adapt to change (ANSAT 3.2).
• Interact with individuals and groups maintaining professional behaviour standards (ANSAT 2.3).
• Adhere to ethical guidelines and workplace policies (ANSAT 1.2 and ANSAT 6.3).
• Receive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback (ANSAT 3.2).
• Demonstrate personal insight and ability to reflect on how personal behaviour impacts others (ANSAT 3.4).
• Manage emotions effectively when dealing with patients in clinical settings (ANSAT 3.5).

Working in healthcare settings and nursing environments requires a capacity to interact with diverse people and work in teams. Healthcare settings can also be highly stressful and dynamic environments. Therefore, students undertaking clinical experiences need to demonstrate professionalism, the ability to manage emotions, and work with others.

Supports can be provided to students to manage stress and emotions across clinical placements including access to counselling and psychological services.