Benner (1984) also detailed the acquisition of nursing expertise and proposed five possible expertise levels: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert.
As registered nursing degree programs go, the easiest one out there is the ADN. An associate's degree program can prepare you for a career as a registered nurse, but you should know that this degree meets only the bare minimum requirement for qualification as an RN.
Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are some of the lowest-paid nursing roles, but that is due to the fact that the educational requirements are less than most other types of nurses.
The average registered nurse salary in Australia is around $79,550 per year (about $41,00 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $76,063 per year up to $97,568 per year.
Mental Health Nurse. A Mental Health Nurse is a professional healthcare provider specialising in treating clients with mental health issues; this has become one of the highest-paid nursing jobs in Australia.
Possibly one of the most difficult nurse practitioner specialties, a critical care nurse practitioner has to learn to deal with life and death situations daily due to treating the most acutely ill or traumatized patients.
The most important descriptor to note in RN level 1 is that 'an employee at this level performs their duties… under the general guidance of, or with general access to a more competent registered nurse (RN) who provides work related support and direction'.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Situated in the heart of Sydney, just minutes from the coast, UTS is ranked number one for nursing in Australia by the QS World University Rankings 2023. There are nursing courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
There are five levels of nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Nursing Required Qualification/s
A four-year bachelor degree in nursing. A three-year diploma. A one-year higher certificate in auxiliary nursing. One-year postgraduate advanced diploma in nursing and midwifery on top of your degree or diploma.
A competent nurse generally has two or three years' experience on the job in the same field. For example, two or three years in intensive care. The experience may also be similar day-to-day situations.
Hildegarde Peplau describes four sequential phases of a nurse-client relationship, each characterized by specific tasks and interpersonal skills: preinteraction; orientation; working; and termination.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-Prepared Practitioner
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal nursing degree, meaning that it is the highest possible practice-based degree in nursing.
The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
Institutional Nurses
These nurses administer more basic care and typically don't have to work long hours and overnight shifts, so this field of nursing tends to be low-stress. Even with less excitement, these nurses find fulfillment in providing basic and family care to those in need.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn a median salary of $195,610 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it the top paying nursing specialty. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, making the hourly wage average out to approximately $94.04 per hour.
The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist consistently ranks as the highest-paid nursing career. That is because Nurse Anesthetists are highly skilled Registered Nurses who work closely with medical staff during medical procedures that require anesthesia.