Enrolled nurse vs registered nurse
Choosing a career in nursing opens up many different pathways, each with its own set of responsibilities and educational requirements. Among the various nursing pathways in Australia, there are two main categories: Enrolled Nurse (EN) and Registered Nurse (RN).
While both are essential to healthcare, providing care and support to patients across various settings, there are differences between the two. This includes their duties, scope of practice, and potential career advancements – as well as the qualifications and training needed for each.
Whether you are a prospective nursing student or looking to advance your nursing career, the following article can help provide clarity on your next steps. Explore the difference between EN and RN roles and how each might suit your personal and professional goals.
FAQs
What is an enrolled nurse?
An enrolled nurse (EN) works under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) to provide essential nursing care. They work across various settings including hospitals, doctor's clincs, community health centres and more. This role requires specific skills and qualifications that require formal education after high school.
Educational pathway to become an EN
To become an enrolled nurse in Australia, you need a Diploma of Nursing or similar from an accredited institution, such as TAFE.
The course generally takes 18 to 24 months and includes theoretical studies and clinical training. Once completed, you need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) before practising as an EN.
Overview of the scope of work and responsibilities
What does an enrolled nurse do? While their responsibilities vary depending on where they work, ENs generally work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) to deliver patient care.
The typical responsibilities of an EN include:
- Basic patient care: this includes bathing, dressing and feeding patients, as well as assisting them with mobility and comfort.
- Monitoring health: record vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. They also observe and report any changes in a patient’s condition to the supervising RN.
- Medication administration: ENs can administer medications, following prescriptions and protocols laid out by healthcare providers.
- Wound management: basic wound care, including cleaning and dressing wounds under the guidance of an RN or a physician.
- Support and education: ENs provide emotional support to patients and their families.
Costs and considerations of becoming an EN
Before choosing a career as an enrolled nurse, here are some factors to consider:
- Educational costs: the cost of completing a Diploma of Nursing depends on the institution and location. Typically, fees range from about $20,000 to $30,000.
- Duration and commitment: the diploma program usually takes between 18 to 24 months of full-time study to complete.
- Registration and licensing costs: after completing the diploma, graduates must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to practise as an EN. They must renew this annually, with a fee for renewal.
- Additional expenses: beyond tuition and registration fees, students should also budget for other expenses such as textbooks, equipment, and possibly travel for clinical placements.
- Career advancement: while becoming an EN offers a rewarding career path, it’s important to consider the limitations of enrolled nurses. You may choose to continue with further education to become a registered nurse or specialise in a particular area of nursing.
Career advancement opportunities for EN
There’s no limit to what an enrolled nurse can do in terms of advancing their career, though more education or training may be involved.
Further education: one of the most common career advancement options for an EN is to pursue further education to become a registered nurse (RN). This involves completing a Bachelor of Nursing.
Leadership roles: with experience, ENs can move into management positions, such as team leaders or managers in nursing homes or other healthcare facilities.
Community health and outreach: ENs can work in settings such as community clinics, schools and residential care facilities. This role often involves a greater degree of autonomy.
What is a registered nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is a skilled healthcare professional who plays an important role in patient care and medical management. It’s possible to progress from enrolled nurse to registered nurse through extra training and university qualifications. RNs are responsible for a wider range of medical duties than ENs.
The educational pathway to become an RN
Becoming a registered nurse (RN) in Australia requires completing a Bachelor of Nursing. This three-year program provides training in all aspects of nursing, including medical, surgical and mental health care, as well as community health and management.
After graduating, they must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to practise as an RN. They must also continue with professional development to stay current with medical practices and innovations.
Overview of the scope of work and responsibilities
What do registered nurses do? Registered nurses (RNs) work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health organisations and residential care facilities. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Patient assessment: conducting thorough assessments of patients’ health.
- Care planning and implementation: developing and executing detailed care plans to address the specific needs of patients.
- Medication management: administering medications and treatments safely, often with a greater level of autonomy than ENs.
- Technical procedures: performing a range of medical procedures, such as inserting IV lines, managing complex wound care and assisting in surgical operations.
- Patient and family education: providing education to patients and their families about managing illnesses or injuries at home, including diet, exercise, and medication management.
- Leadership and supervision: RNs can take leadership roles, coordinating care and making critical decisions.
Costs and considerations of becoming an RN
Before choosing a career as a registered nurse it’s important to consider:
Tuition fees: the cost of a Bachelor of Nursing degree varies between universities but typically ranges from $20,000 to $45,000 per year, for three years.
Additional costs: beyond tuition, students should also budget for books, uniforms, equipment, and travel for clinical placements.
Time commitment: a full-time Bachelor of Nursing program takes three years to complete.
Registration and ongoing costs: post-graduation, nurses must pay for initial registration and annual renewals with the NMBA, along with costs that come with mandatory continuing professional development.
Career advancement opportunities for RNs
Registered nurses have numerous opportunities for career advancement:
Specialisation: RNs can specialise in areas like emergency nursing, critical care, oncology, paediatrics, or mental health. Each specialisation may require additional certifications or degrees.
Advanced practice: RNs can become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse anaesthetists, which offer higher earning potential.
Management and leadership: many RNs move into managerial roles, such as nurse managers, directors of nursing, or healthcare executives. These positions involve overseeing departments or entire facilities.
Education and research: experienced RNs may move into academic or research roles, contributing to nursing education or conducting research.
Similarities between a registered nurse vs enrolled nurse
Despite the differences in training and scope of practice, ENs and RNs share many similarities including:
Involvement with patient care: both ENs and RNs are involved in direct patient care. They provide support for patient health and recovery. They interact with and take care of patients as the main function of their jobs.
Dealing with basic nursing procedures: ENs and RNs can both provide basic nursing care. This includes monitoring vital signs, administering medications and wound care, although RNs often handle more complex procedures.
Undertake similar caregiving duties: the caregiving aspect of both roles involves assisting patients with day-to-day activities, such as bathing, feeding and mobility.
Working in similar environments: these include hospitals, care-based facilities like nursing homes, and community-based settings such as home care.
Differences between an enrolled vs. registered nurse
While they have some similarities, there are important differences between registered nurse and enrolled nurse positions. Such as:
Scope of practice
The scope of practice for RNs is broader compared to that of ENs. RNs are trained to handle more complex clinical tasks such medication administration, interventions, and performing and interpreting diagnostic tests.
Certain medical procedures are also done by RNs, such as managing central lines, advanced life support, and prescribing certain medications under specific protocols.
Education
ENs typically gain a Diploma of Nursing, which takes 18 to 24 months, whereas RNs must complete a Bachelor of Nursing, a three-year university degree (or a diploma plus a two-year bachelor package). The degree for RNs is more in-depth, covering broader aspects of medicine, leadership and specialised care.
To go from an EN to an RN, additional qualifications are necessary and work experience alone isn’t enough. ENs typically need to enrol in a degree program that may offer some credit for prior learning from their diploma.
Authority and responsibility
RNs hold greater decision-making authority and autonomy in clinical settings compared to ENs. RNs are often responsible for creating and managing care plans, whereas ENs contribute to these plans under supervision. RNs often supervise ENs, overseeing clinical practices and mentorship.
Income and career progression
RNs typically earn higher salaries than ENs due to their greater responsibilities and broader scope of practice. While both ENs and RNs have opportunities for advancement, RNs have access to more diverse career pathways, including specialised clinical roles, research, teaching and management positions.
The time required to qualify also differs. ENs can enter the workforce sooner with their diploma, whereas RNs require at least three years of university education before beginning their practice.
When considering a career in nursing, reflect on your interests, skills and long-term career goals before deciding which path to take. Both ENs and RNs offer rewarding opportunities but come with different challenges and benefits. Consider factors like desired work-life balance, the time you can commit to education, and your personal learning preferences. Whichever way you choose, both EN and RN roles can offer incredibly rewarding careers in nursing.
FAQs
What’s the difference between an enrolled nurse and a registered nurse?
The main differences between an enrolled nurse (EN) and a registered nurse (RN) comes down to their education levels, scope of practice and responsibilities:
ENs hold a Diploma of Nursing and work under the supervision of RNs, performing basic care tasks.
RNs require a Bachelor of Nursing, and are qualified and skilled to perform a wider range of nursing duties, including advanced patient assessments and management.
Which is better, an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse?
Whether becoming an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse is better depends on your personal career goals, educational commitment and desired responsibilities in healthcare. ENs enter the workforce faster due to shorter training periods, while RNs have greater scope of practice and higher salary potential. There is no objective 'better' option – it's up to the individual.
What is the difference between an enrolled nurse and a staff nurse?
'Staff nurse' is a term often used interchangeably with 'registered nurse' and typically refers to an RN. The main difference is that a staff nurse/RN has more educational qualifications and a broader scope of practice compared to an EN.
What is the role of an enrolled nurse?
Enrolled nurses provide basic direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses. Their responsibilities include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with daily activities, and providing patient support.
What things can’t an enrolled nurse do?
Enrolled nurses are limited in what they’re allowed to do, compared to registered nurses. They can’t perform complex nursing procedures such as managing central intravenous lines or prescribing medications. Their responsibilities must be overseen by an RN.
What is the pay difference between EN and RN?
Registered nurses earn more than enrolled nurses due to their higher qualifications and broader range of responsibilities. The pay difference can vary but reflects the increased responsibilities and expertise of RNs.
Can an enrolled nurse become a registered nurse in Australia?
Yes, an enrolled nurse can become a registered nurse in Australia by taking on further education: a bachelor or nursing or nursing science.
How much do enrolled nurses get paid in Australia?
Enrolled nurses in Australia typically earn between $65,000 and $70,000 per year, depending on experience, location and where they work.
What qualifications do you need to be a registered nurse?
To become a registered nurse in Australia, you need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing, which is a three-year university program. This qualification is necessary to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and practice as an RN.