About the ARNTP
Australian Registered Nurse Training Program
The University of South Australia's Australian Registered Nurse Training Program (ARNTP) is a professional certificate catered for qualified registered nurses who already hold a diploma or degree in nursing. Since its inception in 2005, more than 750 oveseas educated registered nurse have successfully completed the ARNTP. The shortage of registered nurses in Australia has provided many opportunities for the graduates of ARNTP to gain employment.
The program is of 18 weeks duration. Students who successfully complete the ARNTP will be eligible to apply for registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia under the new National Registration and Accreditation Scheme of Australia.
Program Content
The professional and nursing practice courses take place in the first ten weeks of the program. These courses cover theory and practice topics including the healthcare and legal systems in Australia, nursing ethics, the nursing process, physical examination, standard precautions, alternative health modalities, mental health care issues, primary health care, Aboriginal health, aged care, nursing research and professional communication between nurses, patients and workplace health professionals. Nursing theory also covers pharmacological principles, respiratory, cardiac, neurological, endocrine, urinary/renal, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems.
There are 3 modules for the 10 weeks' study at UniSA campus:
- Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife: Professional Issues in Australia
- Registered Nurse: Nursing Practice
- Professional Practice: Registered Nurse
The clinical practicum focuses on developing competencies for registration and incorporates professional communication skills, mandatory skills of manual handling, CPR, medication calculations, and an eight week placement in an acute hospital setting.
Entry Requirement
- Registration with the relevant Nurse's Registration Authority in own country or place of residence; and
- Diploma or degree in Nursing (minimum of 3 years full-time study) commensurate with the standard of nurse preparation required to register in Australia; and
- A minimum of 2 years work experience with 12 months recent practice (within the last 2 years) as a Registered Nurse in country of practice, evidenced by a certified employment statement dated in the last 6 months.
- Evidence of English proficiency at IELTS overall 7 (academic) with a minimum of 7 for each band (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or, The result must be achieved in the one test sitting
- OET minimum B score in reading; writing; speaking and listening
- Note that the test date must be no more than 18 months prior to the program commencing
Professional Recognition
Students who successfully complete the ARNTP will be eligible to apply for registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia under the new national registration and accreditation scheme. Official accreditation can be found at Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's website.
Nurses are employed in diverse settings, including community support centres, hospitals, aged and rehabilitative care facilities, schools and the homes of individuals. Nurses may also find employment in drug and alcohol treatment centres and community health and welfare organisations such as Asthma SA and the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS).
Currently there is employment demand for Registered Nurses in Australia. This is happening against a backdrop of Australia's changing demography and health profile: the ageing population and increased burden of chronic illness all creating an even greater need for nurses. These changes in the environment explain the number and variety of opportunities available to graduates. A future in nursing opens the door to many career paths and the possibility to work all over the world.
Intake Dates & Course Fee
Intake Date: Late April & Early October for 2014 & 2015
Total program fees for students commencing in:
2014: $AU 15,950
2015: $AU 16,600
Oversea Student Health Cover: ~$AU 200