HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

Nursing is not a career. It's a calling!

Turn your dream into reality and study nursing in Geelong.

The one thing we see consistently in our students is many have always dreamed of becoming a nurse – they just needed a little help to make that reality come true.

Our nursing program offers the flexibility and support you need to continue your education while still having time for family commitments. And the course is fast-tracked to be completed in 18 months, instead of other institutions which only offer it over two years. Plus, our caring staff will be there every step of the way to help you succeed.

If you want to be supported on your learning journey and need flexibility and a fast-tracked course, then the VFA Learning HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing is for you!

Course Duration

18 months full-time, blended study

Intake Dates

June 2024

Limited Places

A maximum of 24 students accepted

Location

Geelong Campus, 78 Yarra Street Geelong, VIC

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Course Overview

The HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing provides you with the skills, knowledge and professional placement experience to become registered as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

VFA Learning has a full range of physical resources to support the delivery of the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing, including an onsite simulation centre (lab), tutorial rooms, a selection of group learning spaces and a well-resourced computer laboratory.

This innovative course meets the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards. At the end of the course, you’ll have the skills to ensure that you can practice safely and competently and contribute effectively in a clinical setting upon graduation.

Our HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing program is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to register as an enrolled nurse.

Participants must be deemed competent in all of the units of competency listed in the ‘Units of Competency’ section of this course to be awarded the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing qualification.

Career Outcomes

Enrolled Nurse

Aged Care Nurse

Mental Health Nurse

Rehabilitation Nurse

After successfully completing the course, you will receive the nationally endorsed HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing, which will allow you to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Then you can register as an enrolled nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Please note that entry-level criteria apply.

For further information, please visit the NMBA at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au

Once registered, you will be able to work in various clinical environments as an Enrolled Nurse in hospitals, aged-care facilities, the community and other healthcare settings.

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Course Information

Key Study Areas

Introduction to Clinical Practice

Health, Safety and Infection Control in Nursing Environment

Working in a Nursing Environment

Culture and Communication

Clinical Practice 1 & 2

Administer Medicines

 

Units of Competency

You must be deemed competent in all units to be awarded the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing qualification.

HLTAAP002 – Confirm physical health status

HLTAAP003 – Analyse and respond to client health information

HLTENN036 – Apply communication skills in nursing practice

HLTENN037 – Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care

HLTENN038 – Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care

HLTENN045 – Implement and monitor care of the older person

HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

HLTWHS002 – Follow safe work practices for direct client care

HLTWHS006 – Manage personal stressors in the work environment

HLTENN068 – Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice

HLTENN042 – Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions

HLTAID011 – Provide first aid

CHCPRP003 – Reflect on and improve own professional practice

HLTENN035 – Practise nursing within the Australian health care system

HLTENN041 – Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice

BSBPEF402 – Develop work priorities

HLTENN040 – Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy

HLTENN039 – Apply principles of wound management

HLTENN057 – Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetes

HLTENN043 – Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions

HLTENN044 – Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions

CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people

CHCDIV002 – Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

HLTENN047 – Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting

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Key Study Areas

VFA Learning assesses applicants to determine their suitability and ensure that this is the most appropriate training program to suit their existing knowledge, skills and experience – as well as their career goals and individual support needs.

We determine suitability through both a pre-training review and an interview process with the Head of Nursing and Health, which includes reviewing:

  • Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) through an LLN assessment using the ACER Assessment Tool –students must demonstrate competence at or above Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) Exit Level 3
  • Learner needs and capabilities
  • Prior vocational learning experiences
  • Course commitment
  • Course appropriateness
  • Course and industry information

Where English is not the primary language, students must meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language skills registration standards. They will be required to provide a formal English language Skills (ELS) test result demonstrating they have achieved the NMBA specified level of English language skills before commencing the Enrolled Nursing program.

The Student Fact Sheet details the minimum English Language Skills Registration standards for entry into the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing.

Students who have undertaken an approved ELS test and meet the program entry criteria will only be required to undertake the numeracy component and display competence at Exit level 3 of the LLN Assessment, as per the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Standardised Student Induction Protocol (SSIP).

All students accepted into this program will be required to undergo the following before professional placement:

  • Police check or WWCC*
  • Working with Children Check
  • Immunisation requirements as outlined in the SSIP
  • Before placement, students must also have student registration with AHPRA (facilitated by VFA Learning). Refer to the Fact Sheet for Education Providers for more information.

* Interested candidates must inform VFA if they have any reportable outcomes on a police check. VFA Learning will then confirm with placement facilities that the candidate remains eligible.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from students with diverse academic, work and life experiences.

For further information, view our student entry procedure.

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Immunisations & Vaccinations

Students are encouraged to speak with their GP about the following clinical placement immunisation requirements and will be required to supply evidence of immunisation:

  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella (2 documented doses)
  • Hepatitis B (confirmation of serology)
  • Tuberculosis (interferon-gamma release assay no more than 3 months before course commencement)
  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (within the past 10 years)
  • Influenza (within the past 12 months)
  • Varicella (medically verified evidence or two vaccinations)
  • COVID-19

Before the commencement of the course, students must start the immunisation paperwork provided to them by VFA.

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Clinical Experience

This course contains 11 weeks (440 hours) of mandatory clinical placement in an Aged Care Facility, Acute/Sub Acute Hospital, and Mental Health setting. This professional placement will introduce students to the clinical work environment in an observational capacity. And students will understand first-hand what may be expected of them when they enter the workforce after successfully completing this program.

We organise all professional placements in-house, utilising our network of industry partners. Plus, our qualified trainers and assessors support students on placement through regular workplace visits.

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Flexible Study

We understand that many of our students need to work while learning, so we have developed a blended option for this course. It includes online theory components and completion of all practical observations in a simulated work environment or placement as required by the qualification.

Our modified Flipped Learning approach encompasses the following:

  • Face-to-face/classroom-based
  • Practical clinical laboratory sessions
  • ProfessionalpPlacement
  • Self-directed learning and online assessments/research

Potential students are encouraged to speak with one of our highly experienced Course Consultants to discuss options that suit your learning needs.

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Assessment Methods

We assess our students in this course using the following methods:

  • Written Questions
  • Case studies
  • Assignment
  • Project
  • Report
  • Logbook
  • Lab
  • Role Plays
  • Reflective Journal
  • Placement Tasks
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Course Duration & Standard Timetable

The course is delivered over 65 weeks (18 months). A standard weekly timetable is as follows:

  • 2 days of face-to-face training and assessment (9 am – 4 pm) – broken into 1 day in the classroom plus half a day in the simulation lab and half a day tutorial with your Trainer. Which allows you time to investigate topics further and discuss areas you may need additional help with. It also provides time to complete assessments and undertake catch-up lab sessions.
  • 1 day of structured self-paced training and assessment.
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Course Costs

There are two options available to students, and the costs are:

  • Fee For service – $27,763
  • Skills First Government Subsidised – $16,077
  • Materials Fee – $850

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

For more information, refer to our fee schedule for all approved courses and census dates.

This training will be delivered by Victorian Fitness Academy T/A VFA Learning RTO 22360. This training may be delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government Funding to eligible individuals. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Access to VET Student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements, and a VET Student loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth. The maximum Tuition Fee for this course for Non-Subsidised Students is $27,763. The maximum amount covered under this course’s Vet Student loan program is $18,097.

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Payment Options

Fee-for Service: Deposit (maximum $1,000) and Direct Debit payment of balance (paid through Debit Success)

Where eligible: VIC government subsidy and VET Student Loans

Where eligible: VET Student Loans and direct debit payment of balance (paid through Debit Success)

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding

This training will be delivered by Victorian Fitness Academy Pty Ltd TA VFA Learning RTO #22360. Access to VET Student Loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements, and a VET Student Loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth. The maximum Tuition Fee for this course is $27,763.

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Pathway to Further Education

The HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing is a pathway to the tertiary education degree, the Bachelor of Nursing.

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