In this post
Your Best Guide to Becoming an Aged Care Nurse
A career in aged care nursing is incredibly rewarding and offers a diverse range of invaluable experiences while working within the healthcare system.
As life expectancy continues to lengthen, the demand for qualified health professionals for ageing support grows, creating the perfect time to look into becoming a registered aged care nurse.
Industry 101
The aged care sector of the healthcare industry is a rapidly growing one with:
Strong Growth
Strong future industry growth is expected for the next four years.
Flexibility
Work availability is flexible, with approximately 50% of aged care workers in full-time positions and the other 50% partaking in part-time work.
National Demand
Aged care nursing is also in national demand with work available in every state and territory.
Furthermore, aged care nursing as a career has longevity! Of current registered nurses, over 60% sit between 25 – 54 years old, while another 19.6% sit between 55 – 64 years old.
This diversity in age means that becoming a registered nurse within an aged care setting is a viable possibility whether you’re older and wish to up-skill as a health professional or change careers completely!
Career Outlook
The aged care sector of the health industry is large and is made up of multiple critical roles to ensure the best care towards older people. A registered aged care nurse is one of the most important roles.
Registered Nurse
typical salary
$66,400
(Range: $47k – $85k)
Payscale: $62,798
SEEK: $70,000
Aged care worker
typical salary
$49,770
(Range: $26k – $60k)
Payscale: $44,538
SEEK: $55,000
What do aged care nurses do?
An aged care nurse’s responsibilities can include:
- Administering medications
- Close medical patient observation
- Managing patients’ diet and exercise
- Managing chronic disease or pain
- Palliative care management (complicated pain management procedures)
Registered nurses must also have an array of patient-handling skills, including:
Understanding human behaviour
Recognising patient needs and responding to them in a way that gives clients satisfaction
Patience
Particularly when dealing with clients with intellectual disabilities (Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, etc.)
Interpersonal and communication skills
explaining diagnoses, and handling patients’ (and relatives’) reactions.
What do assistant nurses do?
Another essential role of aged care is assistant nurses. These people work closely with registered nurses and assist them with their duties alongside their own responsibilities, such as:
- Assisting in maintaining patients’ or clients’ hygiene
- Administering medicine (prescription or over the counter)
- Food preparation
- Social companionship
- Overall monitoring of the clients’ or patients’ well-being
Assistant aged care nurses or support workers are qualified to assist health professionals within numerous establishments, including nursing homes and hospitals. To become an assistant aged care nurse, you can complete a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Aged Care Support.
Career Paths for an Aged Care Nurse
Residential Aged Care Facilities Nurse
Working as a nurse within an aged care home involves providing clients with 24/7 nursing care. Furthermore, you take on a more social role for your clients, including helping to plan and execute social activities, maintaining personal care, food preparation, and hygiene maintenance.
Transition Care/ Home Care Nurse
After hospital stays, older patients require more in-depth, individual support. Many families request a transition nurse to assist during the after-care period. Responsibilities include medicine administration, bandage changing, and dressing, pain management, hygiene maintenance, food preparation, and general overall well-being maintenance. Home care nurses can also be hired on a more permanent basis for the elderly who do not wish to move to a residential facility.
Respite Care
When primary carers for the elderly need to take a break or a holiday, respite care and nursing are an option. Respite care includes short-term facility stays or in-home care. Nurses take on the responsibilities of the regular carer in this role.
Hospital Aged Care Nurse
Some hospitals have aged care units and, it’s here that registered nurses in aged care predominantly work. In this role, you work closely with resident doctors to diagnose, treat and care for elderly patients in a more formal, medical environment.
Palliative Care Nurse
Palliative care assists those with terminal illnesses who need help maintaining a comfortable quality of life. Many elderly members of society will go through palliative care. Aged care nurses who work in this specialisation need in-depth knowledge of complex pain medication administration and maintenance.
How to Become a Registered Aged Care Nurse
To become a registered aged care nurse, you must complete either an Associate‘s or Bachelor of Nursing.
61.7%
of Aged Care Nurses hold a Bachelor’s Degree.
14.4%
have become successfully registered nurses after only completing an
Advanced Diploma of Nursing.
Bachelor’s Degree
A Bachelor’s degree is the most common study option to become a registered nurse. It includes:
- Three years of full-time (usually) on-campus study
- Professional work placement during studies
- Registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – when the course is completed.
Advanced Diploma
An advanced diploma of nursing is usually two years of full-time study, including professional work placement.
When you graduate, however, it’s uncommon you’ll become a registered nurse straight away. Many become Enrolled Nurses (EN’s), which allows for nursing employment; however, often EN’s are considered less knowledgeable when compared to their registered colleagues.
With industry experience, EN’s can request to become officially registered with AHPRA at a later date.
How to Ace an Aged Care Job Interview
Ready to interview for your first job in aged care? Here’s what to know before you walk in the door.
Is Aged Care Nursing for Me?
If you’re looking to extend yourself within your current healthcare role, or you’re looking to start a completely new career, becoming a registered aged care nurse could be for you.
This could be an excellent next step if you’ve already completed an aged care course, are working in the industry, and would like to advance your career.
If you’re patient, calm and wanting to make a difference in the lives of the older members of our society, look into becoming a registered nurse now.
How to Start a Career in Aged Care
Always wanted to help people in your job? A career in aged care nursing could be perfect for you.
Browse Your Best Guide to Becoming an Aged Care Nurse Results
Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315
Forecasts indicate there will be around 6,000 new job openings each year until 2023, with a total of 30,000 job openings. This is due to diagnosed mental health issues being on the rise in Australia, so there is a need for more mental health workers in...
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) CHC33021
If you have a passion for helping those most in need, this qualification is one way you can utilise your knowledge for the benefit of others. The Aged Care and Disability sector is one of Australia’s largest and fastest growing service industries. In 2...
Diploma of Counselling CHC51015
This qualification reflects the role of counsellors, who work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities. They use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling t...
Diploma of Business (Business Development) BSB50120
At Original Campus, study the nationally recognised BSB50120 Diploma of Business and boost your business development skills, critical for growth in today’s economy. This qualification equips you with highly practical methods and much sought-after busin...
Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business BSB30220
Are you thinking of starting your own small business? The BSB30220 Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business at Original Campus unlocks your potential to identify new business opportunities and strengthens your operational abilities to help...
Diploma of Project Management
The BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management at Original Campus is a nationally recognised qualification that will provide you the core skills needed to successfully manage a project across a range of industries. From mapping out a project’s scope...
Diploma of Social Media Marketing 10904NAT
At Original Campus, you can study the 10904NAT Diploma of Social Media Marketing which is Australia’s first and only nationally accredited qualification in Social Media Marketing. Created by the world’s leading social media experts, all of whom feature...
Double Diploma of Business (Business Development) + Leadership & Management BSB30220, BSB40820
Market to the wider world! This in-depth dual qualification course equips you with the practical skills you need to develop viable business proposals, plan a business and then market to the wider world. It will open up an exciting new career for you wh...
Double Diploma of Business (Business Operations) + Leadership and Management BSB50120, BSB50420
Become a business operations success! This in-depth dual qualification course equips you with the practical skills you need to develop personal and professional acumen to lead business operations or step right up into a managerial role within an organi...
Double Diploma of Business (Leadership) + Leadership and Management BSB50120, BSB50420
Become an inspiring leader! Harness the modern business landscape and head towards success step-by-step with this practical online dual qualification course which will help skyrocket your career in management and leadership, which lays the groundwork f...
Dual Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication + Diploma of Social Media Marketing B40820, 10904NAT
Join a revolutionary industry! With the double whammy of social media and marketing, you can pave the way towards a ground-breaking marketing career. Combining the revolutionary world of social media marketing and fundamental marketing activities, this...
Double Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business + Marketing and Communication BSB30220, BSB40820
Market to the wider world! This in-depth dual qualification course equips you with the practical skills you need to develop viable business proposals, plan a business and then market to the wider world. It will open up an exciting new career for you wh...
Double Diploma of Business + Social Media Marketing BSB50120, 10904NAT
Expertly market a business online! This in-depth dual qualification course equips you with the practical skills you need to amplify your brand awareness, engage your audience through effective content, social media strategies and campaigns and run a bu...
Double Diploma of Business + Leadership and Management BSB50120, BSB50420
Become a renowned business leader! Get a leading-edge career advantage with the practical online dual qualification course. This nationally accredited course will prepare you for a professional upgrade or accelerate your own business. Become a frontrun...
Dual Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business + Diploma of Business BSB40320, BSB50120
Become a business dynamo! It’s time to get serious about your career in business. And with this formidable dual qualification course, you can. Combining the necessities of starting and running your own, or workplace’s, business with effective ways of p...
Dual Certificate III + Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business BSB30220, BSB40320
Identify a business opportunity, establish a new venture, start your self-employment journey or launch a world-changing innovation or product and soar to new heights with this easy-to-follow, flexible online course.
Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business BSB40320
The BSB40320 Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business at Original Campus helps turn your business ideas into reality. From product research to strategy and from finance management to marketing, everything is aimed at giving you practical kno...
Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business and Diploma of Social Media Marketing BSB40320, 10904NAT
Get a competitive business and marketing edge! You can pave the way towards a ground-breaking career with the double whammy of social media marketing and entrepreneurship. Combining the necessities of starting and running your own, or workplace’s, busi...
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
Dive into a realm filled with potential and growth with our CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, tailored for those eager to make a significant impact on children’s early years. This certification encapsulates the vital role...
Certificate in Zoology & Animal Science
Take your animal knowledge beyond everyday pets! This online exotic zoology course opens the door to a captivating world where your passion for wild animals can be realised. Upon completing this online Animal Health and Science course, you will gain a...
Online courses also available
Latest Articles
How to Apply for Work Placement: Tips & Resources
Congratulations! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey where you will practise and develop t...
11 Hobbies That Can Make You Money: Use Your Passion for Profit
Hobbies often get a bad rap. They’re seen as just a way to kill time, a mindless escape from t...
Is The Job You Hate Killing You? Why You Need to Make a Change
Do you hate your job? Studies show that staying in a job you hate has negative health effects and ev...
Want to read more?
Sports Journalism – Have You Got What It Takes?
Interested in sports journalism? Other than a love of sport you’ll need excellent writing skills, an...
Enrolled Nurse vs. Registered Nurse: Who’s Who?
Nursing is a fulfilling, exciting and financially stable career within our booming healthcare indust...
5 Things to Know Before Working With People With Disability
Working in disability services, you'll do work that matters. Start here to learn why working with pe...