If you’re thinking of becoming an enrolled nurse in Australia, it’s important to know what your duties will be.
Enrolled nurses play a vital role in the aged-care sector. They work under the direction of a registered nurse and are responsible for providing nursing care to residents.
This includes everything from caring for wounds and administering medication to providing personal care and emotional support.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the duties of an enrolled nurse in aged care agency. We’ll also discuss the skills and qualities you need to succeed in this role. So if you’re considering a career in aged care, read on!
Overview of Enrolled Nurse Duties in Aged Care
As an enrolled nurse in aged care, your duties will revolve around the care of elderly patients. This may include providing basic care, assisting with personal hygiene, and administering medications. You may also be responsible for documenting the patient’s condition and progress and providing support to other members of the care team.
It is important to remember that the elderly can be a vulnerable population, and you should always treat them with respect and compassion. You may also need to adapt your care to meet their individual needs, as every patient is different.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an enrolled nurse in aged care, it is important to understand the scope of your duties and responsibilities.
Monitoring and Reporting Responsibilities
You will be responsible for monitoring and reporting the health and well-being of residents. This includes assessing their condition, recording changes, and providing updates to their doctor or care plan coordinator. You may also be responsible for creating and implementing individual care plans, providing basic nursing care, and supporting other staff members in their work.
As an EN, you must also work in general medical practices, community health practices, hospitals, nursing homes, or after-hours clinics. Depending on the organisation, enrolled nurses may be required to work long shifts, odd hours, or weekends.
Delivering Quality Care to Elders
As a nurse in aged care, one of your primary duties is to deliver quality care to elders. This involves creating a warm and welcoming environment for them, as well as providing support and assistance with activities of daily living.
In addition to this, you’ll also be responsible for monitoring the health and well-being of residents and reporting any changes or concerns to the registered nurse in charge. You’ll also need to administer medication and treatments as directed and contribute to resident care plans.
It’s a challenging but rewarding role and one that requires a dedication to providing quality care for older Australians.
Working With Multidisciplinary Team Members
As an enrolled nurse in aged care, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team. This means that you’ll be working with a variety of other healthcare professionals – such as doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Together, you’ll work in unison to provide the best possible care for your residents. This could range from helping to rehabilitate them after an illness or injury to providing palliative care and helping them manage chronic health conditions.
You’ll also need to be open and effective in communicating with these other healthcare professionals, as well as the residents themselves and their families. It is important that everyone is kept up to date on the resident’s progress and that any changes are documented properly. You will also need to develop a strong understanding of any medical directives or treatment plans set out by the other team members in order to ensure that all tasks are completed appropriately.
Understanding your duty as an enrolled nurse will help you play an integral part in a professional and successful multidisciplinary team working effectively together for the good of their residents!
Working With Families and Visitors
As an enrolled nurse, you’ll be working with families and visitors on a regular basis. It’s important to provide a welcoming and friendly atmosphere to ensure your residents and their families feel comfortable and safe.
You’ll need to be able to communicate clearly, understanding each party’s needs while also keeping them up-to-date. Additionally, you may need to provide information about services available in the facility or refer their enquiries to the appropriate services outside the facility.
It’s important to remember that relatives of the resident may become emotionally distressed, so it’s essential that you are able to provide support in a professional manner, remaining sensitive and encouraging. It may also be helpful for you to educate them on how best to support their loved ones as well as provide advice on any changes that may occur during the aging process.
Enrolled Nurse Duties in Emergency Situations
Being an Enrolled Nurse in the aged care space comes with its fair share of pressures, which are felt most acutely during emergency situations. In these moments, it’s up to the Enrolled Nurse to respond with professional acumen and provide help and peace of mind to residents who may be in danger or in distress.
Your duties as an Enrolled Nurse in an emergency situation can include providing first aid, assessing any risks involved, identifying medical conditions and administering medications, assisting with evacuation and ensuring that the affected residents are kept safe, as well as providing emotional support.
You will also need to communicate with other professionals on-site at all times, so a good working knowledge of protocols and systems is necessary. Most importantly, it is your job to remain calm under pressure and ensure that the safety of those who are under your care is always paramount.
Conclusion
So, what are the main duties of an enrolled nurse in an aged care setting? In a nutshell, they provide clinical care to residents, assist in the assessment of residents’ needs, help with their care and treatment, and coordinate care plans with other health professionals.
They also play an important role in educating residents and their families about their condition and the treatment they are receiving and also give advice and training to parents of newborn infants on infant care. If you are an enrolled nurse who is thinking of working in aged care, or you are already working in this field and would like to know more about your duties, then this guide is for you.
Frequently Asked Question
What are some of the primary responsibilities of an enrolled nurse in aged care?
As an enrolled nurse in aged care, some of your primary responsibilities would include the following:
- Supporting with daily tasks like taking a bath, getting dressed, and grooming
- Administering medication and monitoring the effects
- Assessing and monitoring the physical and emotional well-being of residents
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans
- Communicating with families and other caregivers to keep them informed of the resident’s condition
- Ensuring that the resident’s rights and dignity are respected at all times
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of the resident’s care and progress
- Providing education and support to residents and families on issues related to aging and healthcare.
- It is important to note that the specific duties of an enrolled nurse may vary depending on the facility, state regulations, and the individual needs of residents.
What is the main role of an enrolled nurse (EN)?
The main role of an enrolled nurse (EN) is to provide patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or a midwife. They work as part of a healthcare team and are responsible for providing basic care and support to patients, including administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Under the supervision of Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses (EN) provide basic nursing care to patients in a variety of health, aged care, welfare, and community settings. Enrolled nurses are also responsible for observing and reporting changes in a patient’s condition and communicating with other members of the healthcare team to ensure that the patient’s needs are met. They also may be responsible for providing education and support to patients and their families on issues related to healthcare and recovery. In Aged care, an Enrolled nurse is responsible for providing individualized care to the elderly population, they assist in promoting their physical, emotional and social well-being.
