Enrolled Nurse Training
Becoming an Enrolled Nurse in South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health
Enrolled nurses (EN) are a skilled and vital part of the nursing team in South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health (SESIH). They work alongside registered nurses to provide patients with essential nursing care. Enrolled nurses work with people of all backgrounds and ages in hospitals, aged care facilities, the community and other health care settings.
The hospitals in SESIH which employ trainee enrolled nurses include:
- Bulli Hospital (Bulli)
- Coledale Hospital (Coledale)
- David Berry Hospital (Berry)
- Garrawarra Centre (Waterfall)
- Kiama Hospital (Kiama)
- Port Kembla Hospital (Port Kembla)
- Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick)
- Shellharbour Hospital (Shellharbour)
- Shoalhaven Hospital (Nowra)
- St George Hospital (Kogarah)
- St Vincent’s Hospital (Darlinghurst)
- Sutherland Hospital (Caringbah)
- Wollongong Hospital (Wollongong)
A number of private facilities are also involved in our program.
More information about hospitals in SESIH.
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the program:
How is the program conducted?
You study for a Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) which takes one year to complete. During this time you are employed in a hospital where you gain clinical experience, and study at TAFE where you learn the practice and theory of nursing. You are paid a full time salary for both components of the course. SESIH is one of the most popular places to train to become an enrolled nurse and we conduct one of the largest programs in NSW with over 150 positions available every year.
View the position description for a Trainee Enrolled Nurse.
Do I work full time and shift work?
Yes, you’ll work 38 hours per week of shift work. This includes day, evening and occasionally night duty shifts, with some weekends and public holidays. The leave entitlement is six weeks annual leave, usually paid on completion of the course.
View the award wage for a trainee enrolled nurse.
What happens at the end of the course?
At the end of the course and once you have passed all of the academic and clinical requirements, you will be eligible for enrolment with the Nurses and Midwives Board of New South Wales (NMB) as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse.
There are plenty of positions available for enrolled nurses across the State in both public and private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, agencies, community health, maternity hospitals, defence forces, centres for the physically and developmentally disabled, some diagnostic centres and hospices.
You can take on further post enrolment studies which are specially designed for ENs. You can advance to special grade EN or you can consider becoming a registered nurse by studying the Bachelor of Nursing and you’ll get credits for the qualification you have already completed.
How do I apply?
This year you lodge an application from the NSW Health website by the date specified. Alternatively, you can request a form by email or by phoning 1300 724 995.
Following the closing date, completed applications are distributed to Area Health Services for processing and so if you wish to work in SESIH you will need to nominate this Area Health Service as your first preference on the application form.
Given the popularity of this program and large number of applications received every year, we wish to advise that only those who meet all the necessary criteria will be invited to interview.
After the interview you will be given the opportunity to select your preferred hospital. Positions are allocated on merit and every effort will be made to place you in the hospital of your choice however if this is not possible you may be offered a position in a different hospital within the Area Health Service.
What are the selection criteria?
Details of the selection criteria can be viewed on the NSW Health website.
Some positions in each intake of the Trainee Enrolled Nurse Program are identified as being Aboriginal specific. Aboriginality is a selection criterion for targeted positions under Section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent wishing to undertake the Trainee Enrolled Nurse Program are advised to email the Project Manager, Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, phone 9391 9367 or visit the NSW Health website.
For more information about working in SESIH email us with your contact details and the nature of your enquiry.