Registered nurse (RN)

Registered nurses (RNs) are university-trained health professionals.

RNs care for people in many different settings:

• outpatient clinics – for example, an orthopaedic clinic if your child has had a broken arm
• GP clinics
• hospital wards – for example, paediatric or neonatal wards
• rehabilitation units
• schools
• community centres.

RNs might specialise in areas like child and family health, continence, diabetes, infectious diseases or mental health.

For example, you and your child will probably see a child and family health nurse when you go for your child’s development checks at your local child and family health centre. Along with your GP, your child and family health nurse is a good starting point for any worries you have about your child’s health or development, breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, or your own wellbeing.

Some children might need to see a continence nurse during childhood. Continence nurses are RNs who specialise in preventing, treating and managing problems with controlling wees and poos. They can give you advice on toilet training programs and continence equipment and products.

Enrolled nurse (EN)

Enrolled nurses (ENs) provide nursing care under the supervision of RNs. ENs have a diploma-level qualification, which isn’t as high as a university degree.

Nurse practitioner

Nurse practitioners are RNs with special training and skills that enable them to work in advanced roles. Nurse practitioners can either have general skills or specialise in an area of nursing – for example, paediatrics.

A nurse practitioner is qualified to take your child’s history, examine your child and handle any diagnostic tests your child might need. Nurse practitioners can send you to other health care providers – for example, medical specialists or allied health professionals like physiotherapists. They can also prescribe medications as needed.

Nurse practitioners work in hospitals and the community.

Practice nurse

Practice nurses are RNs or ENs who work in local GP clinics. They work with GPs to give you health and lifestyle education, wound care, health assessments, specialist referrals and immunisations.

School nurse

A primary school nurse is an RN who does general health checks for children aged 5-12 years. These checks help to identify and manage any early health concerns. Primary school nurses might also do vision screening, hearing tests, immunisations, education on preventing accidents and injuries, and asthma management.

Primary school nurses work closely with students, teachers and parents. They can give you advice on positive parenting and nutrition. They often help teachers with education resources and getting extra help for students who need it.

A secondary school nurse is an RN who does general health checks for children aged 12-18 years. Secondary school nurses can give young people advice on making healthy lifestyle choices. They also aim to identify and reduce smoking, alcohol and other drug use, eating disorders, obesity, depression, self-harm and other risky behaviour.

Secondary school nurses often do health counselling, school activities and group work. They work closely with parents, teachers, social workers, school psychologists and guidance officers to get the best care for students.

Getting health advice from a nurse

For non-urgent health advice, you can call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse.

For advice on bladder or bowel problems, call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066 to speak to a continence nurse.

If your child has health or development concerns, health professionals like nurses are there to care for your child and help you understand your child’s condition and treatment. With the support and expertise of these professionals, you can help your child thrive.