Job Profiles

Enrolled Nurse

nurse applying bandage to patient
Enrolled Nurses (EN) provide nursing care to patients in a variety of health, aged care, welfare and community settings.

Need decision-making & problem-solving skills.


Role Description:

  • Enrolled Nurses (EN) provide nursing care to patients in a variety of health, aged care, welfare and community settings under the supervision of a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or midwife.

    EN’s role involves:

    • observing, measuring and recording patients’ vital statistics and reporting changes in patient’s conditions to RNs and doctors.
    • Providing physical and emotional support to patients and their families.
    • Assisting with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, showering and dressing.

Where you might work:

  • Enrolled nurses may work in general medical practices, community health practices, hospitals, aged-care facilities or after-hour clinics.

Personal attributes:

  • Enrolled Nurses need:

    • excellent communication and listening skills
    • good organisation and time management skills
    • decision-making and problem-solving skills
    • compassion and the ability to empathise with patients
    • an interest in patient health.

Salary:

  • Middle of the range starting salary in Australia: $48,400
    (Reference: National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 2018.)

Employment rates:

  • 14,000 job openings over 5 years in Australia (that’s about 2,800 a year!)
    (Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)

Industry growth:

  • Across Australia, Enrolled Nurses grew strongly over the past 5 years and is expected to grow over the next 5 years: from 24,400 in 2018 to 26,300 by 2023.
    (Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)


nurse checking patients heart rate

Career Pathway - Nursing

Nursing is a job where you get to make a difference in people’s lives every day. You will be challenged as no two days will be the same.
Megan - Enrolled Nurse

Personal Story - Enrolled Nurse

I support the GPs working with patients doing things like spirometry, venesection, assisting with excisions, sterilising equipment, wound dressings, and syringing ears.