NMBA position statement: Concurrent registration as a Registered nurse and Enrolled nurse

Published: 14 June 2011

Introduction

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) for health professionals in Australia commenced on 1 July 2010 under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (the National Law) as in force in each state and territory.

Under the National Law, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (the Board) is responsible for the regulation of the nursing and midwifery professions and is supported in this role by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Board has approved registration standards, codes and guidelines and competency standards that together form a Professional Practice Framework (PPF) that defines the requirements and Board expectations in guiding the professional practice of nurses and midwives in Australia.

Before the introduction of the National Scheme, nurses in a number of jurisdictions were able to hold registration as both a registered nurse and an enrolled nurse. The Board consulted widely as to the best way to manage this anomaly and found that the majority view was, on the grounds of public safety, that concurrent registration should cease. However, views were polarised as to when this should occur, so the Board applied the principle of no disadvantage in relation to managing those nurses who hold concurrent registration at this time. Given that certificate programs in enrolled nursing will be phased out in 2014, it was decided it was appropriate to cease the transitional arrangement at that time.

The position of the Board is that the opportunity to have concurrent registration as a registered nurse and enrolled nurse is being phased out and this position statement provides direction regarding those nurses who hold concurrent registration as a registered nurse and enrolled nurse as a transitional arrangement. Nurses holding concurrent registration will be required to elect to be either enrolled or registered no later than 31 May 2014.

Who needs this document?

This document is relevant to:

  • registered nurses
  • enrolled nurses
  • employers and
  • education providers.

Existing concurrent registration

Nurses who currently hold registration as a registered nurse and enrolled nurse can continue to hold concurrent registration until 31 May 2014.

Nurses who hold concurrent registration as an enrolled nurse and a registered nurse must also be able to demonstrate they meet the Board’s registration standards on continuing professional development and recency of practice as both an enrolled nurse and as a registered nurse.

Nurses who no longer wish to hold concurrent registration can either:

  • write to AHPRA and surrender their registered nurse and/or enrolled nurse registration or
  • choose not to renew either their enrolled or registered nurse registration when renewing registration on 31 May each year.

Nurses who have held concurrent registration, and have allowed their enrolled nurse and/or registered nurse registration to lapse, are not eligible to regain both lapsed registrations and must choose to seek registration as either an enrolled nurse or as a registered nurse.

Enrolled nurses studying an approved program leading to registration as a registered nurse

Enrolled nurses who complete a Bachelor of Nursing and subsequently register as a registered nurse may hold concurrent registration for up to 6 months to provide time to commence a graduate entry program or equivalent. This arrangement will cease on 31 May 2014.

Registration as an enrolled nurse during a Bachelor of nursing program (Vic and WA)

Students studying a Board-approved Bachelor of Nursing program in Victoria and Western Australia, that has a Board-approved exit point for registration as an enrolled nurse, may continue to seek registration as an enrolled nurse. The Board expects that students who register as enrolled nurses via this pathway, and continue with and complete their Bachelor of Nursing course, will lapse their enrolled nurse registration within six (6) months of obtaining registration as a registered nurse. This arrangement will cease on 31 May 2014.

Review

This position statement commences on 28 April 2011. The Board will review this standard at least every three years of operation.

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