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Assessment and Approval of Courses
When a person applies for registration, authorisation or enrolment, the person must provide documents which include documents of identity, character, English language competence, and education. The onus is on the individual applicant to obtain and provide documents which satisfy the Board that her/his education is at the required standard.
If an applicant demonstrates that she/he has undertaken a course which the Board has "recognised" (i.e. the course has previously been scrutinised and approved), no further information will be required regarding the course.
This will enable applications to be processed quite quickly (sometimes identified as "facilitated" process). Whereas some applicants may take weeks or months to collect documents in an effort to satisfy the Board that they have completed courses which are at the required standard, and in some cases may never be able to satisfy the Board in this regard, persons who have completed "recognised" courses are able to have their applications expedited.
Prospective students may wish to ensure that a nursing or midwifery course is recognised by the Nurses and Midwives Board. Such recognition will facilitate the person's registration, authorisation or enrolment on completion of the course.
Section 10(1)(g) of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1991 states that "for the purpose of facilitating under this Act the registration of nurses and midwives, the authorisation of registered nurses to practise as nurse practitioners, the authorisation of registered midwives to practise as midwife practitioners and the enrolment of enrolled nurses and enrolled nurses (mothercraft), to grant recognition to:
(i) hospitals, nursing homes and educational and other institutions offering courses for the training of nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwife practitioners and enrolled nurses and enrolled nurses (mothercraft), and
(ii) the curricula for such courses, and
(iii) diplomas, certificates and other qualifications awarded to persons who successfully complete those courses,"
Section 18(1)(a) which refers to registered nurses, section 19(1)(a) which refers to registered midwives and section 27(1)(a) which refers to enrolled nurses, clarify that recognition is granted only to courses undertaken in Australia.
To assist course developers, the Board issues guidelines and specifies the competencies or attributes to be developed in courses leading to eligibility for:
• registration as a nurse;
• registration as a midwife;
• authorisation to practise as a nurse practitioner; and
• enrolment as a nurse;
Institutions may then develop programs using this information.
Guidelines for courses leading to authorisation to practise as a midwife practitioner are not yet available. There are no guidelines for courses leading to enrolment as an enrolled nurse (mothercraft) as these courses have not been conducted for some years. |
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Section 12A of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1991 establishes a Nurses Practice Committee and a Midwives Practice Committee. The role of these committees includes the provision of advice to the Board in relation to the accreditation of courses of education and training, and matters of education generally, in connection with the registration or enrolment of nurses (in the case of the Nurses Practice Committee) and the registration of midwives (in the case of the Midwives Practice Committee).
When a course is submitted for consideration and approval, it is referred to the relevant Practice Committee. The committee considers the proposed curriculum and makes recommendations to the Board in regard to approval of that course or otherwise.
Representatives of the institution are invited to attend a meeting of the relevant Practice Committee in order to provide clarification if required and to address any concerns raised by the committee. The committee may communicate further with the education provider and may receive further submissions prior to providing recommendations to the Board.
On receipt of a report from the Nurses Practice Committee or the Midwives Practice Committee, the Board will consider the matter. Where the Board approves a course, the institution is advised of this outcome. Where the Board intends not to grant recognition, the institution will be so informed and will have the opportunity to make a submission, if desired, prior to the Board finalising its decision.
Nurse practitioner courses are assessed by different committees but along the same principles.
Section 18(3) provides that, in regard to courses leading to registration as a nurse, education institutions may apply to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal for a review of the decision of the Board on the application. Section 19(4) makes similar provision in regard to courses leading to registration as a midwife and section 27(2) applies in regard to courses leading to enrolment as a nurse. The legislation does not provide for appeals in regard to courses for nurse practitioners, midwife practitioners or enrolled nurses (mothercraft).
Organisations proposing to submit an education program for consideration by the Nurses and Midwives Board are invited to contact the Board's office for preliminary discussions with the Executive Director or a Professional Officer.
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Clause 35 of the Nurses and Midwives Regulation 2003 provides that an education institution is to notify the Board of any change of curriculum that occurs after details have been forwarded to the Board for recognition. Education institutions are advised not to implement changes prior to receiving approval from the Board. Clause 35 further provides that the Board may revoke or vary its recognition if it is satisfied that the course is not being conducted in accordance with the details received by the Board. |
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